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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 As the High Holy Days approach, rabbis in the United States say their congregations are deeply unsettled by antisemitic threats and aware of sharp divisions in their own communities. — David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Wolverines have a wide physical advantage, but makeup of the offensive line is unsettled and QB Bryce Underwood hasn't run Jason Beck's offense in a game. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 Lin said recent restrictions affecting mainland investors’ access to offshore brokerages in Hong Kong had particularly unsettled some clients. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 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 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
  • Both areas are fenced and protected, and NOAA Fisheries urged beachgoers not to disturb these sites.
    — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Combs has both utilized and weaponized his fortune, industry status, and reputation to hide a volatile temper and disturbing behavior for decades.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • Levi argues that the Blast files were deliberately compromised to distract from their contents.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
  • My parents were tense and distracted while my siblings were scared.
    — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of distract
Verb
  • Tanner Faaborg said he was also bothered by the reshaping of rural Iowa by industrial animal agriculture.
    — Rachel Cramer, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Before turning it into a judgment about your abilities, notice what specifically bothered you.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • But the Treasury market’s rapid deterioration is now alarming those who previously downplayed the risks.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The constant delay-of-game calls, false starts and inability to get lined up are a special level of alarming for a quarterback who entered the NFL 10 years ago.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of alarm
Verb
  • Many of the condition’s early signs, such as depression or impulsivity, can stem from other factors, and some experts worry about making premature diagnoses.
    — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The backlash against data centers is growing, as critics worry about rising electricity bills as well as air, water and noise pollution.
    — Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • Bass is particularly concerned by the relative lack of specialized intervention training for patrol officers who respond to the vast majority of service calls.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The District Court of Gelderland, sitting in Arnhem, in the Netherlands ruled in favor of Birkenstock on a landmark copyright case concerning lookalikes of the German footwear company’s classic sandals sold at Lidl stores.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of concern
Verb
  • Oneida County Captain Tyler Young told the Journal Sentinel at the time that Taege approached Maulson and saw that he was agitated.
    — Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Uneasy feelings activate self-critical thoughts as the moon agitates Chiron.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of agitate

Browse Nearby Words

unserviceable
unsettle
unsettled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unsettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettle. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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