as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
the perturbing news meant that we'd have to end our vacation prematurely
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perturbing
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
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
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
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
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There were many disturbing parts of Kerstin’s story left unpursued.
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The film is a modern take on the creature horror film told from the perspective of a young boy who slowly begins to discover that his beloved parents are hiding a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature.
Verb
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At the same time, the state’s spending keeps growing quickly as well, alarming the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which advises the Legislature on fiscal matters.
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The 2023 property tax valuation cycle — and to a lesser extent, the 2024 and 2025 cycles — have been the subject of widespread outrage in Jackson County, with skyrocketing property values alarming homeowners and business owners alike.
Adjective
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The New York Times reported that multiple women who once dated Platner described the Maine oysterman’s behavior as intimidating and unsettling.
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This move, by a native of the attention economy, signals a growing trend of users actively disengaging, unsettling consumer investors.
Verb
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Driving into the estate down a dirt track, you’re met with concrete walls that frame the space with gallery-like precision, directing your eyes toward geological features rather than distracting from them.
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There was some online angst over whether Swift was distracting from football — while the NFL itself capitalized on her fandom.
Adjective
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The June 14 shooting has outraged community members and prompted protests in the small town of Senatobia, where residents point to a string of troubling encounters with police in recent years.
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This year’s line-hardening—by my count, some twenty-three per cent of cases—is both remarkable and troubling.
Verb
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That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
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The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Adjective
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The hypocrisy is stunning, and frightening.
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Yes, the Scots played poorly, but Brazil’s brilliant roster of attacking talent capitalized on mistakes with frightening efficiency.
Verb
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But even these preliminary findings are concerning, experts said.
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The state averages about eight unprovoked bites each year, according to the FWC, which runs a statewide program to address complaints concerning specific alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property.
Cite this Entry
“Perturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perturbing. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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