ˌən-ˈset-liŋ
1
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
unsettling new developments in the effort to bring peace and stability to that region
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
had the unsettling task of picking out a coffin and making the other funeral arrangements for his father
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in alarming
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
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 unsettling
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
In Brentwood, in eastern Contra Costa County, some residents found the influx of lightning unsettling, including Mayor Susannah Meyer.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Gamze Acar Bayraktaroglu, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
From people discovered after swarms of flies are spotted inside a home to heartbreaking stories of pets found waiting with deceased owners, while unsettling, Snyder said that such occurrences are not as rare as many might believe.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Adjective
The thriller takes an unsettling turn for both men, as the narrative digs into race, trauma and evil.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
In Brentwood, in eastern Contra Costa County, some residents found the influx of lightning unsettling, including Mayor Susannah Meyer.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
One of my clients, a senior executive in a major technology company, shared how the organization's shifting priorities were unsettling the team.
—Gamze Acar Bayraktaroglu, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
From people discovered after swarms of flies are spotted inside a home to heartbreaking stories of pets found waiting with deceased owners, while unsettling, Snyder said that such occurrences are not as rare as many might believe.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettling
Adjective
-
Pros Leaf raking is quiet, so there are no time constraints; Collecting leaves manually not only avoids disturbing neighbors or wildlife, is also does not cause air pollution.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The attack adds to a disturbing pattern of violence targeting religious communities across the United States, including the recent mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis that killed two children and injured 17 others.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Still, when her mom asks if Paul and his kids can come on the birthday trip, the woman feels uneasy.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The loss of data arrived during an uneasy period for policymakers.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But also alarming is that government officials don’t seem to take seriously the need to justify the reasons for their use of force, which should only be wielded to protect the rights of Americans.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Bond yields leaking higher since the Fed cut rates a quarter-point on Wednesday is not atypical, and — so far — is not alarming equity markets, inflation watchdogs or fiscal hawks.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Hurricane forecasters are watching three major risk factors for people across a swath of the East Coast, a complex dance of weather that has led to a troubling forecast for late September.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, at that film’s Berlin Film Festival premiere, its star Nourou (Jean-Christophe Folly) is in freefall after a racially troubling run-in with a Polish hotel security heavy.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Following the San Francisco 49ers' loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, there was a tense moment caught on camera where 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Jaguars head coach Liam Cohen argued with one another.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Pio’s first goal for Inter turned a tense 1-0 lead into a welcome 2-0 win.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Rather than distracting from the acting, the animation also only enhances the heightened emotions of adolescence.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The subtle side snap buttons leading down to the slit provide detail without being distracting, and the pointelle knit offers enough stretch and texture to hug your curves in all the right places.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The steaks cost about $40, compared to a frightening $60-$70 at chain restaurants.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Sep. 2025
-
And that’s kind of a frightening thing.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In the cold and austere German winter (a far cry from Dakar’s physical and cultural warmth), an anxious Nourou acts up outside a hotel and is accosted by a Polish security guard, setting off a minor chain reaction in which Maja intervenes on his behalf, much to his chagrin.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Right now, CEOs are both bullish and anxious.—
Mike Hoffman,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsettling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettling. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share