unsettle

verb

ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl How to pronounce unsettle (audio)
Definition of unsettlenext
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy the news that the local grocery store had sold contaminated produce unsettled many shoppers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 unsettle One concern is parents of autistic children, who often have gastrointestinal issues, though the science linking those issues to autism is unsettled. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026 Not least because Liverpool never received an official approach from Bayern and, if Ngumoha was feeling remotely unsettled, then that hadn’t been articulated to the club. — James Pearce, New York Times, 26 June 2026 Widespread haze from wildfire smoke in Colorado and Utah will also filter into the region at times, potentially reducing visibility and adding to already unsettled atmospheric conditions. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 July 2026 Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ever-deepening defense alliance with China, India’s principal strategic competitor, has unsettled New Delhi, particularly given that Islamabad deployed Chinese weapons against Indian forces for the first time during the 2025 conflict. — Michael Kugelman, Time, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettle
  1. disturb
  2. distract
  3. bother
  4. alarm
  5. worry
  6. concern
  7. agitate
Verb
  • The officer wrote that Gatz had been living in the area for several months and was disturbing the surrounding vegetation.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 July 2026
  • Platner has faced multiple allegations of reckless and drunken behavior and disturbing behavior toward women since launching his campaign in August.
    — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • Now back in King’s Landing, Corlys is distracted at best, meeting with Rhaenyra’s small council to address the crown’s nonexistent funds — the latest on a long list of problems that need solving for the new Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
    — Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • The 5-foot-4 Italian tried not to let the presence of the record eight-time men's singles champion distract her.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
Definition of distract
Verb
  • Playing against such younger competition doesn’t bother Crawford.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • Install Fencing If all deterrents fail and snakes continue to bother you, consider installing a 2- to 3-foot fence around your property.
    — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 6 July 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • Those measures, however, have alarmed privacy advocates, who argue that age-gating the internet would affect all users — not just children.
    — Angela Yang, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • That’s alarmed the National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents about 400 nurses and staff at two psychiatric hospitals in Sacramento.
    — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 29 June 2026
Definition of alarm
Verb
  • The shadow of the war will loom over the upcoming midterm elections in November – something Republicans have privately been worrying about for months amid growing voter discontent over the war.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • The idea has sparked debate, the sources said, with some officials worried that a pause would set back the department’s efforts to hire more police officers and replenish its dwindling ranks.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • One of the most concerning things about the situation is that someone left such an explosive just lying around.
    — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Plummeting immigration is concerning, since our data suggests that immigration was the biggest contributor to Florida’s growth since 2023.
    — Karin Brewster, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
Definition of concern
Verb
  • Diaz appeared to agitate the shoulder on a swing during his fifth-inning at-bat, then grounded out.
    — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026
  • That would be Saba Capital, a hedge fund that’s been agitating for change among CEFs for years.
    — Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Definition of agitate

Browse Nearby Words

unserviceable
unsettle
unsettled
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Cite this Entry

“Unsettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettle. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unsettle

Nglish: Translation of unsettle for Spanish Speakers

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