PERTURBING Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

perturbing 1 of 2

adjective

pər-ˈtər-biŋ

Definition of perturbing

as in disturbing

causing worry or anxiety the perturbing news meant that we'd have to end our vacation prematurely

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

perturbing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of perturb

as in alarming

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy the caller's strange remark perturbed me enough to keep me awake that night

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of perturbing

Adjective

Advertisement Indeed, along with a perturbing reliance on fossil fuels, around 18–20% of Saudi youth are unemployed, meaning developing productive avenues for them is a policy priority as set out in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Apr. 2026 Soon, Callaghan — alongside Nic Mosher and Evan Gilbert-Katz — was traversing the country in a shabby RV, documenting the surreal, perturbing and often hilarious fringes of American culture. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026 Now Hank has to contend with ride-share apps, boba, and bike lanes that interfere with his commute—adjustments that are perturbing to him. — Adrienne Matei, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2025 But Citron has proved to be one of the most surefire defensive options in this year’s draft, pairing a perturbing timing off the ball with her notable length at 6-foot-1 to grow into one of the nation’s most disruptive defenders. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025

Verb

In another study conducted around the same time, Picard found that perturbing mitochondria changed their host cell’s gene expression and growth, even when the organelles’ ability to transform energy was unchanged. — Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026 Soon, Callaghan — alongside Nic Mosher and Evan Gilbert-Katz — was traversing the country in a shabby RV, documenting the surreal, perturbing and often hilarious fringes of American culture. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026 Wait a few hundred-thousand years, and another star will drift into our Oort cloud, perturbing it and potentially triggering new comets arriving in our inner Solar System. — Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 The collision would trigger fusion, perturbing a magnetic field, which in turn produces power. — Harry Booth, Time, 29 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perturbing

Adjective

Stuck together, wandering through thick green woods for days, the conversation between Sam and Paul drifts in an increasingly disturbing direction.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
Wilde noted how Musk has perpetuated some of incel culture’s more disturbing ideology, particularly the belief that men are more powerful than nature.

— Zack Sharf, Variety, 22 July 2026

Definition of disturbing

Verb

In Orange County, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County maintains infectious-disease surveillance and disease-reporting services for residents and visitors, which is exactly how local systems stay ready without alarming the public.

— Luis E. Caso Vega, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026
So, even just the unusual presence of an aircraft in this area made this incident alarming for one resident, Anna, who spoke to CNN near the scene.

— Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Definition of alarming

Adjective

But now, the idyllic Mississippi island is overcast with an unsettling pall after the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 18 July 2026
Below, Entertainment Weekly looks back at eight other unsettling encounters celebrities have had while on the job.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026

Definition of unsettling

Verb

The previous time the New York Knicks won an NBA Final, in 1973, in-game sound was basically unheard-of in basketball—too distracting for players and fans.

— Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Low-cost drones are also increasingly being paired with high-end weapons to improve their effectiveness by distracting or overwhelming enemy air defenses.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Definition of distracting

Adjective

That is troubling because these early black holes should have had to undergo at least 1 billion years of mergers and gluttonous feeding to reach supermassive status.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 22 July 2026
But under those encouraging headlines lies a more troubling story.

— Scott White, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of troubling

Verb

Wasps are generally more interested in building their colony and finding food than in bothering people.

— Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 July 2026
But after going ahead, England manager Thomas Tuchel tried to shut the back door by throwing on countless defenders and not bothering to attack Argentina anymore.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

Definition of bothering

Adjective

However, changing the Social Security formula to a means-testing base, and applying it immediately to all existing Social Security recipients, is a frightening idea.

— U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2026
Panettiere's pregnancy was marked by a series of frightening health scares.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of frightening

Verb

This is especially concerning, considering teenagers are at a time in life when their bodies are changing constantly and rapidly, Mann said.

— Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
But new data points to a concerning trend in which AI is damaging human connection, because people don’t interact with colleagues as much, rely on coworkers or reinforce relationships in the work process.

— Tracy Brower, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of concerning

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perturbed

perturbing

perturbingly

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“Perturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perturbing. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of perturbing

adjective

verb

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