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
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 1 Feb. 2026
The rest of Raimi’s horror output more openly embraced comedy; this first film finds a more unsettling balance of the genres.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
There was something else unsettling about them.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Adjective
The doc explores the unsettling clash between history and memory in a small Mississippi town that’s become an antebellum tourist destination.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 1 Feb. 2026
The rest of Raimi’s horror output more openly embraced comedy; this first film finds a more unsettling balance of the genres.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
Aggie’s blood visibly rises, but Nile keeps his unsettling cool throughout the whole interaction.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
There was something else unsettling about them.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettling
Adjective
-
Some of those revelations are deeply disturbing.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
1 Feb. 2026
-
These disturbing images raise even more questions about Epstein and his relationships with some of the most powerful men in the world.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Chalk the moves up to uneasy investors.—
Brandon Kochkodin,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Kelly and King shake things up around the half-hour mark by venturing into the real world, where Grace (Cristin Milioti), the mother of two boys unusually far apart in age, starts being overcome by uneasy feelings about a cold dark void.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Recently, something new appeared on the landscape, alarming wildlife advocates like Christina Aiello.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
After her husband took her pets out of the room, Bloor then faced the even more delicate task of safely removing herself from the bed without alarming the snake.—
Phil Boucher,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
More troubling news has emerged in the case of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of Today anchor Savannah Guthrie.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Even more troubling, the prosecutor — who has ties to Trump allies — received a special appointment from Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate election fraud cases nationwide, according to Bloomberg Law.—
Barbara McQuade,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Tempers flared during a recent pair of NBA games, and both contests were marred by tense clashes between players.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Unnervingly tense, Ringu still holds up today as a watch-between-your-fingers favorite.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This can also lead to exhaustion and burnout with depleted energy, distracting you from your goals.—
Vicki Salemi,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Men are likelier to hover over players during a game, which can be distracting and intimidating, players said.—
Jo Yurcaba,
NBC news,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But that depiction was picked apart by a vast array of online onlookers, from law enforcement experts to ordinary Instagram users, some of whom replayed the videos frame by frame and zoomed in to show the episode in frightening detail.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The news this week that CPW employees are facing a variety of threats from radical elements in both groups of Coloradans strikes us as ironic sad — and frightening.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Flat, calm but earnest, mildly anxious, blunted, volatile.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Times of Troy survey After an anxious few weeks for Trojan fans, USC finally has its next defensive coordinator.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsettling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettling. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
