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
Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 11 Feb. 2026
As unsettling events ripple through the town, Henry begins to grapple with the frightening possibility that he may be connected to the darkness taking hold.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Dec. 2025
Aggie’s blood visibly rises, but Nile keeps his unsettling cool throughout the whole interaction.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Adjective
Still, there’s an unsettling calm, an attunement to the fragile truce between humankind and the capricious planet that nourishes it.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 11 Feb. 2026
As unsettling events ripple through the town, Henry begins to grapple with the frightening possibility that he may be connected to the darkness taking hold.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Few know the alchemy of unsettling audio design better than Nine Inch Nails and one-time Guns n’ Roses guitarist Robin Finck, who toured with NIN from 1994 to 2000, and returned for their subsequent road shows from 2013 to the present.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 3 Dec. 2025
Aggie’s blood visibly rises, but Nile keeps his unsettling cool throughout the whole interaction.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettling
Adjective
-
Nell Tiger Free stars as a young novice who works at a Catholic orphanage plagued by mysterious, disturbing circumstances.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
-
In an initial statement Wednesday, Blalock said the video is disturbing and the parents and families of these students should be embarrassed.—
Allie Hennard,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That has trading partners uneasy.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Now, marquee names like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo have gotten into the game, creating an uneasy juxtaposition as other players have bemoaned the effects of gambling and verbal assault from fans.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 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
-
But what is more troubling is that this mayor is doing what previous mayors have done — passing responsibility to Albany to reform the system.—
Arthur Russell,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The decree, the group said, is a troubling sign of how the media could be treated both during and after the first election planned in a decade.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Leadership sets the tone, and right now that tone feels tense and joyless.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The tense talks continued into a second day but concluded without progress, in a diplomatic effort that seemed little more than another stalling game for Putin.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Still, critics say the controversy risks distracting from preparations for the Games and eroding public confidence in the organizing committee.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Picture frame backsplashes are outdated and visually distracting, tied to early 2000s.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In a heartfelt Instagram video, Lindsey Vonn shared how her doctor saved her leg from amputation after the frightening crash at the Milan‑Cortina Olympics.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
-
While Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic comeback ended with a frightening crash in Cortina d’Ampezzo, overall, Team USA broke its winter gold medal record, set on home soil at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
By Phillip Reese | KFF Health News After a grueling year of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation to treat breast cancer, Sadia Zapp was anxious — not the manageable hum that had long been part of her life, but something deeper, more distracting.—
KFF Health News,
Oc Register,
23 Feb. 2026
-
After a grueling year of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation to treat breast cancer, Sadia Zapp was anxious — not the manageable hum that had long been part of her life, but something deeper, more distracting.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsettling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettling. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
