as in disturbing
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the unnerving news of yet another murder
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of unnerving
James Somers, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
The other is from Viggo Mortensen, who arrives in time for the film’s final stretch to embody a truly unnerving Lucifer.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
For instance, Bella's first meeting with Edward in their biology class is supposed to be this unnerving moment, where Bella is disturbed by Edward's apparent repulsion toward her.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
The creepy clown could be considered the mascot of the Halloween season, nearly as pervasive as the jack-o-lantern and far more unnerving.
—Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The film asserts itself as the remaining record of the filmmakers, who disappeared; what was then an eerie idea is now an unnerving reality.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
Gone are the days of hands with an unnerving amount of fingers or a Will Smith clone slurping spaghetti in a manner that can only be described as disturbing.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
So a little, a little unnerving.
—Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2025
The concept of the bells tolling is deeply unnerving and eerie in a way that stays with you long after the credits roll.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Not all horror stories rely on jump scares and violent spectacle; some unearth their horrors from unnerving philosophical considerations.
—Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
Nonetheless, Lloyd's production is handsomely realized, with striking silhouetttes courtesy of Jon Clark and unnerving sound design by Ben and Max Ringham, who add a low whirr of dread to the existential fable.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Incompetence has a way of unnerving its witnesses.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
These models often fabricate facts, citations or statistics with unnerving confidence.
—Sagar Gupta, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
In the weeks before she was murdered, Goncalves recounted a series of unnerving events to Mortensen and a second surviving housemate, according to a police report released last month.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2025
Dealt with unnerving subtlety, the final blow is one of Scorsese’s most devastating character executions.
—Elle Carroll, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
This kind of experience is empowering, but also unnerving.
—James Somers, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
The other is from Viggo Mortensen, who arrives in time for the film’s final stretch to embody a truly unnerving Lucifer.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
For instance, Bella's first meeting with Edward in their biology class is supposed to be this unnerving moment, where Bella is disturbed by Edward's apparent repulsion toward her.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
The creepy clown could be considered the mascot of the Halloween season, nearly as pervasive as the jack-o-lantern and far more unnerving.
—Time, 30 Oct. 2025
The film asserts itself as the remaining record of the filmmakers, who disappeared; what was then an eerie idea is now an unnerving reality.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
Gone are the days of hands with an unnerving amount of fingers or a Will Smith clone slurping spaghetti in a manner that can only be described as disturbing.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
So a little, a little unnerving.
—Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2025
The concept of the bells tolling is deeply unnerving and eerie in a way that stays with you long after the credits roll.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
Israeli forces struck Iran’s nuclear facilities in June, unnerving a White House that feared the bombing campaign would derail its efforts at diplomacy.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Not all horror stories rely on jump scares and violent spectacle; some unearth their horrors from unnerving philosophical considerations.
—Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
Nonetheless, Lloyd's production is handsomely realized, with striking silhouetttes courtesy of Jon Clark and unnerving sound design by Ben and Max Ringham, who add a low whirr of dread to the existential fable.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
Incompetence has a way of unnerving its witnesses.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
These models often fabricate facts, citations or statistics with unnerving confidence.
—Sagar Gupta, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
In the weeks before she was murdered, Goncalves recounted a series of unnerving events to Mortensen and a second surviving housemate, according to a police report released last month.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2025
Dealt with unnerving subtlety, the final blow is one of Scorsese’s most devastating character executions.
—Elle Carroll, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerving
Adjective
-
Despite already having declared her candidacy, McKnight voiced disturbing and violent threats against Sheehy.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This story contains a description of a shooting some readers may find disturbing.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In rare cases, the toxin can spread beyond the injection site to other parts of the body, paralyzing or weakening muscles needed for breathing and swallowing.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Their meet-cute involves a pterodactyl, a number of plants that shoot paralyzing needles, and a nest in which Thia has been imprisoned.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But a September report from SANDAG’s internal auditor was discouraging.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The initiative also coincides with the $100,000 H-1B application fee, introduced September 21, two days after the DOL announcement—a White House move aimed at discouraging bulk filings by staffing and outsourcing firms.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Rather than offering peace of mind from pest invasion, the chemical control process often leaves families feeling uneasy about what has been introduced so indiscriminately into their environment.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Cuomo led early polls, buoyed by name recognition and a coalition of moderate Democrats uneasy with the party’s leftward drift.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Kids will love sending this Dilophosaurus sauntering across the floor, frightening everything and everyone in his path.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Instances of swatting have been plaguing the nation for years, with fake shooting threats frightening the public and forcing schools, hospitals, grocery stores, office buildings, and airports into temporary lockdowns.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Compared to the swooning Gothic romance of Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula, Kenneth Branagh’s Frankenstein is just too perverse — in an unsettling way.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
-
At the same time, the detective assigned to the case begins to uncover secrets about Scout, along with an unsettling breakthrough in Georgia’s death.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That should already be terrifying enough, regardless of what happens next.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Through twisting corridors and multiple stories, guests encounter terrifying live actors, special effects, and nightmarish monsters.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The lighthearted, yet slightly awkward moment stood out as a rarity among a season of tense uncertainty for McDaniel and the Dolphins, who sit at 3-7 on the year with increasingly long odds to make the playoffs.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
-
From climate-resilient clinics to advanced protective lens technology, professionals are attempting to provide worthwhile and viable solutions to pressing present-tense issues.—
William Jones,
Ascend Agency,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unnerving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerving. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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