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 This has unsettled some Pentagon officials who fear the scrutiny will invite meddling. — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Showers may linger into Friday, while the weekend currently trends cooler and unsettled, with additional shower chances if the front stalls out nearby. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Higher oil prices could reignite inflation concerns, the midterm elections could unsettle investors and weak economic reports could produce sharp swings. — Andrew Graham, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 In reality, the situation in Indiana is completely unsettled, and White was reminded of that on Tuesday night when some fans booed her during pregame introductions ahead of the Fever's home contest against the New York Liberty. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 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
  • That’s because excess inflammation can impact your central nervous system, which can disturb sleep.
    — Alice Oglethorpe, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The bay contains bioluminescent plankton that creates a blue-green glow in the water when disturbed.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • While the behavior was distracting, Osaka hopes that bringing tennis to a new audience overall will benefit the sport, as long as new fans learn the rules and etiquette of spectating.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • While the President tries to distract Americans from his disastrous war in Iran, gas prices keep soaring.
    — Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of distract
Verb
  • The only way Paul managed a point the whole game was with a 136 mph bullet to the corner that Alcaraz didn’t even bother moving for.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Ohtani reported that the area from his biceps to his neck was bothering him Wednesday night, Roberts said.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • OpenAI’s use of a new technique that obscures AI agents’ chain of thought is alarming the research community.
    — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In New Jersey, the op-ed authors were alarmed by the bond’s staggering price and the impact that would have on the state.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of alarm
Verb
  • The lack of federal guidance, conflicting messages and potential barriers to immunizations worry public health officials because vaccination rates are already falling, leading to resurgences of dangerous diseases like measles.
    — Rob Stein, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Their narrators worry about the corruption of their music scenes by news presenters, magazine writers, major-label scouts, and (for Goetz especially) academics.
    — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • Through an open records request, the Star-Telegram obtained copies of text messages and emails concerning discussions between the two cities about the data center development.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Akiyama wrote numerous books concerning both his spaceflight and his experiences as a farmer and being displaced from the Fukushima Prefecture.
    — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of concern
Verb
  • After many decades of organizing, speaking, writing, agitating — and weathering the constant controversy that courted — Steinem kept going.
    — Adam Carlson, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Continue to cook, agitating eggs and occasionally shaking pan and running spatula underneath to ensure eggs aren’t sticking, until surface of eggs looks somewhat set but still slightly shiny, about 30 seconds more.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Sep. 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 8 Sep. 2026.

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