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
But key details of the new Medi-Cal requirements remained unsettled. — JosÉ Luis Villegas, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Why the Fourth Amendment matters The law remains unsettled on ALPR use. — Henry F. Fradella, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
The Lakers have wing depth, but could bolster their center options beyond Kessler and backup Kevon Looney, and are unsettled at power forward. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026 Monday in Philadelphia stays cool and unsettled, with the front stalled just south of the region and scattered rain chances, especially across southeastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Delaware. — Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 21 Sep. 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
  • Together, the tools could help accelerate the development of more resilient electric motor systems while reducing the risks associated with critical material shortages, volatile supply chains and rapidly changing global markets.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Daily crude flows are very volatile, with only 3 million barrels of crude transiting Hormuz on Monday while 6 million barrels passed through the strait on Friday, according to Kpler.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of volatile
Adjective
  • Eighty-one people with unpaid bills were arrested, and patients’ wages and bank accounts were garnished.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Lawsuits over unpaid debt Public records from Mecklenburg District Court show the McGregors faced multiple lawsuits over unpaid debts and a nearly six-figure tax lien from the IRS.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of unpaid
Adjective
  • Dozens of lawsuits remain pending, including claims related to the handling of mass pro-immigration protests since last year, probably putting taxpayers on the hook for more large payouts in the future.
    — Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Those tax charges, involving Rivera’s 2017 and 2018 returns, remain pending.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of pending
Adjective
  • So fraternities promise that kind of friendship and loyalty, and also for young people, 18-year-olds, many of whom are unsure of themselves, fraternities and sororities say this is the way to be popular.
    — Richard Hall, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The department was unsure of the route the aircraft was trying to take, and the crash started a small grass fire that was quickly doused.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsure
Verb
  • Dead sheep and bears strewn along the pavement have disturbed local residents for years, but ecologists fear the road may also cause a much slower and quieter die-off, with mountain lions inbreeding as they are cut off from other lions.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • While the noise from the street would at times bleed into the living room, the bedroom was quiet, and our sleep was never disturbed by late-night foot traffic.
    — Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturbed
Adjective
  • Jeff Shields, a spokesperson for PJM, said electricity demand is growing faster than new generating capacity can come online, while unpredictable weather is leaving fewer opportunities for critical maintenance and construction.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Loos, who was thirty-one, was known to express displeasure in hot and angry bursts and could be unpredictable.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of unpredictable
Adjective
  • Widespread discourse about the former rural doctor’s habit of suing patients over unpaid medical bills primed the internet to take notice when Marshall was confronted with an outstanding bill of his own in a Facebook post that quickly went viral.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Hartbower had an outstanding felony arrest warrant on an assault charge out of Yuba City, in neighboring Sutter County, and was on post-release community supervision in Yuba County, police said.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • The allegations remain contested, with questions about attribution and the involvement of third-party intermediaries unresolved.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Though the investigation prompted city action — including an independent cultural assessment of the Fire Department — Grant said the central question remains unresolved.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of unresolved

Browse Nearby Words

unsettle
unsettled
unsettledness
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Cite this Entry

“Unsettled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettled. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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