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
How existing copyright laws apply to GenAI is an unsettled question. — Zoey Forbes, The Dial, 7 July 2026 The unsettled conference status for Ursuline is causing the school harm, the complaint contends. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026
Verb
To this day, nearly every aspect of this masterpiece remains ambiguous, alluringly unsettled. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 The finale may leave viewers feeling unsettled, but the show has already been renewed for a second season. — Alex Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 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
  • Gen Z has experienced inflation, volatile markets and economic uncertainty before many even began their careers.
    — Brent Gleeson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Advertisement Even after the war ends, experts expect military spending to rise, driven by an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.
    — Sarah Yerkes, Time, 10 July 2026
Definition of volatile
Adjective
  • The project, called Union 93, hit the brakes in 2022 amid disputes over unpaid work, and the property ultimately went into foreclosure in early 2025.
    — Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2026
  • On Monday, dozens of people working at an Ebola virus treatment center in northeast Congo went on strike over unpaid salaries and bonuses.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Definition of unpaid
Adjective
  • City spokesperson Sherae Honeycutt declined to comment on the rulings, saying the lawsuits remain pending.
    — Ben Wheeler July 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
  • Penguins pre-free agency re-signings The biggest pending unrestricted free agent for the Penguins going into this offseason was center and assistant captain Evgeni Malkin.
    — Patrick Damp, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of pending
Adjective
  • Giblin is unsure what will happen to the pavilion when the church takes over.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026
  • Both playing with the same goal in mind, still unsure if there will be a Heat future for one, both or neither, after the two finished this past season on the Heat roster, Keels on a two-way deal, Young on a standard contract.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2026
Definition of unsure
Verb
  • The location of the digging also could have disturbed another grave that may now be unmarked.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
  • Home to North America’s tallest mountain, Denali's six million acres of wilderness are disturbed by only one road.
    — Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
Definition of disturbed
Adjective
  • Weather patterns are becoming more unpredictable, so impact windows add peace of mind to the perks of improved efficiency and climate control.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • Asian powers are increasingly taking steps to gird against an unpredictable former ally in the US and an ambitious regional rival in China.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of unpredictable
Adjective
  • Allen scored the Emmy nomination for outstanding guest actress in a drama series for her role as Roxie Hamler, a terminally ill cancer patient who arrives at the emergency room after breaking her leg and suffering from seizures.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
  • The nominees for the 78th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were unveiled Wednesday, with Hollywood honoring a slew of new shows and setting up what’s expected to be a battle among two legends in the race for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series.
    — Dan Heching, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • Court records show that while some had felony convictions, others had unresolved immigration proceedings or had been arrested but never convicted of a crime.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • In a region where climate change has already strained access to critical resources for millions, every day that the conflict remains unresolved is another day the people of the region must confront threats to their very survival.
    — Sarah Yerkes, Time, 10 July 2026
Definition of unresolved

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Cite this Entry

“Unsettled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettled. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unsettled

Nglish: Translation of unsettled for Spanish Speakers

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