unsettled 1 of 2

adjective

ˌən-ˈse-tᵊld How to pronounce unsettled (audio)
Definition of unsettlednext
1
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly we've been having a lot of unsettled weather lately

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2
as in unpaid
not yet paid I keep unsettled bills next to the checkbook

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3
as in pending
not yet settled or decided we can't move on as long as this important question remains unsettled

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4
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something I'm still unsettled about whether I should take that job

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unsettled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of unsettle
as in disturbed
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 unsettled
Adjective
There were fires to put out; an unbalanced squad, unsettled players, grumpy fans, some truly dispiriting defeats. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 30 July 2026 The employer built a wall of automation to keep applicants at a distance, and is now unsettled that applicants built a machine to climb it. — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Verb
Neighbors who live near the site described being unsettled by the police shooting taking place in their community park where children play. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 30 July 2026 The locations for those fights, which have been linked to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Texas and Florida, are allegedly unsettled. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsettled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettled
  1. volatile
  2. unpaid
  3. pending
  4. unsure
  5. disturbed
  6. unpredictable
  7. outstanding
  8. unresolved
Adjective
  • Global oil prices have been volatile in recent weeks amid heightened uncertainty about potential outcomes from the Iran war.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Those nitrogen oxides combine with volatile organic compounds on hot summer days, and the pollution contributes to climate change and harms human health.
    — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of volatile
Adjective
  • The district plan also contains elements that have to be negotiated with employees, such as unpaid furlough days.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Why did debt collectors stop contacting me about my unpaid balance?
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of unpaid
Adjective
  • Trauernicht’s felony case remained pending, and his trial had not been scheduled.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities have not publicly identified a cause or manner of death, and the Mississippi State Medical Examiner's autopsy and toxicology results remain pending.
    — Stepheny Price , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of pending
Adjective
  • Given his long absence from public view, analysts are unsure whether Khamanei is indeed the architect of the new set-up.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Pundits are unsure whether Minnesota will yield a similar result.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsure
Verb
  • Along Fence Lines and Retaining Walls Poison ivy grows best in out-of-the-way spaces that aren’t disturbed regularly.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Even when the material was strongly disturbed, the electronic order rebuilt itself smoothly across the sample.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturbed
Adjective
  • During the flight, crews are in constant communication with meteorological teams across the globe to track unpredictable weather patterns.
    — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Within these spaces, designed to produce idealized performances of femininity, the unpredictable rhythms of postpartum life become a quiet act of disruption.
    — Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of unpredictable
Adjective
  • At the end of the day, both conferences feature great fanbases, historic, iconic venues, outstanding crowd atmospheres and elite, blue blood programs.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Boasting an outstanding 57-hour battery life, plus a quick 5-minute charge that adds 3 hours of playtime, they are built to power through days of classes without needing an outlet.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • Shakur’s death is one of the most infamous unresolved incidents in pop culture and was the subject of significant skepticism and theories for decades.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The case of rap icon Tupac Shakur’s killing has been unresolved for decades; now the man charged in his 1996 killing in Las Vegas is going to trial.
    — Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of unresolved

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unsettled
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Cite this Entry

“Unsettled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettled. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unsettled

Nglish: Translation of unsettled for Spanish Speakers

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