UNSETTLE Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

unsettle

verb

ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl

Definition of unsettle

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

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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 The uncertainty that afflicts others about how to dress for one’s age, one’s job or even the weather doesn’t seem to unsettle this cohort. — The Learning Network, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026 Short enough to read in a single sitting, Sara Gran’s chilling story of an architect succumbing to demonic possession will leave readers stunned and unsettled. — David Faris, TheWeek, 23 Oct. 2026 The recent layoffs have nevertheless unsettled Britain’s independent production community, which has already endured several difficult years of shrinking budgets and fewer commissions. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026 That should unsettle leaders who treat office attendance as a low-risk cultural reset. — Gleb Tsipursky, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsettle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettle

Verb

For example, in the 20th century there was a flawed world leader who held rigid ideologies, racial biases, and disturbing personal behaviors.

— Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
According to Filter, at some point the grave markers were disturbed.

— Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

In her first sketch, Navarrette and Hernandez played the ghost of a couple of 1930s kids on the Queen Mary who keep distracting a tourist from hearing where another ghost’s treasure is hidden.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2026
Driscoll was nearby the whole time, but was distracted with the installation of a new oven.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

In fact, the movie doesn’t even bother revealing Fang’s ultimate fate; but then again, he’s been fully vindicated in the court of public opinion, so who cares?

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
Nothing shows the world that the outside noise doesn’t bother you quite like preparing a statement ahead of time about how much the outside noise doesn’t bother you.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

Coolly, Violet responds that to avoid alarming the public, a few agitators have beenneutralized—now there’s a sticky euphemism—and their deaths passed off as revenge killings among drug traffickers.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
That move sparked enormous street protests in Israel, and alarmed many Israeli citizens overseas.

— Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of alarm

Verb

That forced Edmonds and former Horned Frog David Punch (now at Texas) to play lengthy minutes and have to worry about foul trouble.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
Still, Nowinski is worried the Guardian Cap is giving parents and athletes a false sense of security that the game has been made considerably safer.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of worry

Verb

Musk and SpaceX have been instructed to preserve records concerning restrictions imposed on a military version of the Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine, CNN first reported, citing an aide to a Democratic senator.

— Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
A number of women who were not known to each other came forward to officers with reports concerning Brand after that investigation was published, the Met Police said.

— Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of concern

Verb

Where some of her peers were agitating for new ideological thinking inside the Party, Stevens was something closer to an earnest moderate.

— Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026
But hell hath no fury like a Latino voter scorned and all this intimidation, in addition to a lack of follow-through on promises by Republican lawmakers since 2024, might have a boomerang effect by agitating Latinos into action.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of agitate

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unserviceable

unsettle

unsettled

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“Unsettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettle. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of unsettle

verb

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