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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
For centuries, certain pieces of royal jewelry have both fascinated and unsettled people. — Eliza Prosperini, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026 The rest of the week remains unsettled, so keep an eye on changing weather conditions and stay updated for possible advisories. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 12 July 2026
Verb
The centerless nature of Kiely’s grief unsettled him for a time. — Laura Snapes, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026 Gurminder Sangha, vice president of equity and institutional effectiveness at Madera Community College, said the surge of violence has unsettled the community. — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 8 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
  • The South Korean benchmark now hovers at around 6,700, having experienced volatile swings due to the heavy dependence on heavyweights Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 24 July 2026
  • As a politician of some experience, she is presumably unfazed by the sorts of challenges that come with governing a volatile section of her volatile country.
    — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of volatile
Adjective
  • Jamal Warner’s widow, Tenisha Warner, has taken legal action against his mother, Pamela Warner, over alleged unpaid debts from his family trust.
    — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
  • Owners of an Elk Grove nightclub where two men were killed in a shooting last year must pay more than $53,000 in unpaid rent this week or forfeit their lease, according to a notice posted outside the business.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of unpaid
Adjective
  • Those charges remain pending, but the brothers were allowed to leave the country in February 2025 and headed to Florida.
    — StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 27 July 2026
  • Shiloh’s petition was successfully granted in August 2024, while Zahara’s and Maddox’s remain pending.
    — Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
Definition of pending
Adjective
  • Funding fights, shifting eligibility rules and abrupt program cuts have played out simultaneously at the federal level, leaving many organizations unsure what the ground will look like from one quarter to the next.
    — Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • At a time when many of their peers are unsure of what's next, the students are happy their skills are in demand.
    — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 21 July 2026
Definition of unsure
Verb
  • The gunk Bondurant observed was likely didymo disturbed off the bottom of the river by people swimming and walking around.
    — Hannah Smith July 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026
  • By contrast, ecological systems are complexly interconnected, meaning that when one element is disturbed, all the other components linked to it are affected, too, spreading the disturbance throughout the system.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Definition of disturbed
Adjective
  • These maps account for a range of variables, including cargo-shipping routes, surface currents, wind patterns, and the unpredictable drift of objects at sea.
    — Alexander Klose, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
  • Much of Crown Center is indoors or covered, which is a big plus for when weather becomes unpredictable.
    — Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Definition of unpredictable
Adjective
  • Cole, meantime, is truly enormous — a legit 6-3, 235 with outstanding length and speed for his size.
    — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The same caution applies to joint credit cards, where closing the account may require paying off the outstanding balance first.
    — Ashley Lynch July 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • Identify the required information, its owners and any unresolved issues with quality or definition.
    — Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Throughout the United States, accountability for slavery’s harms remains unresolved, calling for a federal solution to a national problem.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 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 30 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of unsettled for Spanish Speakers

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