as in disturbing
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the unnerving news of yet another murder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in paralyzing
to deprive of courage or confidence
the riding accident so unnerved me that for a while I was afraid to get back on a horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of
a figure skater can't afford to be unnerved by an occasional slipup
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerving
Adjective
-
Even then, the fact that the package contained a bloody tracksuit is still disturbing and likely to create psychological trauma for the daughter.—
Jim Halterman,
Variety,
1 July 2025 -
Many of these videos follow a disturbing but familiar pattern—the extraction and erasure of Black women’s genius, creativity, and contributions.—
Janice Gassam Asare,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
That conflict of interest was paralyzing when the state auditor worked for the governor and Cabinet instead of for the Legislature.—
Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards,
Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2025
-
After her oxygen level reached a hundred per cent, the nurse delivered paralyzing medication.—
Ayesha Khan,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Good air circulation will allow leaves and stems to dry out, discouraging disease.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Actions by officials in the two countries are also discouraging Canadian tourists from looking south.—
Skyler Swisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Outlook: Stability or Strain? Oil markets in 2024 were defined by an uneasy equilibrium.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Given that uneasy reminder, the small victory ultimately won by King and his followers is even more extraordinary and potent.—
Sophie van Bastelaer,
EW.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
The pit and toy poodle mix, adopted from a rescue ranch called The Barking Lot outside San Diego, found the sudden arrival of towering boxes and disappearing furniture deeply unsettling.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
-
The decision has left some in an unsettling state of limbo.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
The coach withdrew him just after the hour mark against PSG and the cameras caught the forward looking tense and concerned on the bench.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
-
Eyewitness accounts reported that the sweltering temperatures, along with swarms of flies from a nearby stable, contributed to a tense atmosphere and slowed down debate.—
Marianne Krasny,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Relapse is alluring, Bart is intimidating, and Son is mysterious.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
-
While the market’s recent volatility can be intimidating, experts generally recommend investors focus on their long-term goals.—
Ana Teresa Solá,
CNBC,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
My expectation is that the veteran who has been in the Octagon against some of the heaviest hitters in the UFC’s heavyweight division is going to be anxious to test the young man who only has 35 seconds of UFC fight time to his name.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
The choice of name was coincidental but Lee and Kirby were anxious to avoid any connection to radical politics.—
Ekow Eshun
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Unnerving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerving. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share