unsettle

verb

un·​set·​tle ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl 

unsettled; unsettling; unsettles

transitive verb

1

: to loosen or move from a settled state or condition : make unstable : disorder

2

: to perturb or agitate mentally or emotionally : discompose

intransitive verb

: to become unsettled

Synonyms

• agitate
• ail
• alarm
• alarum
• bother
• concern
• derail
• discomfort
• discompose
• dismay
• disquiet
• distemper
• distract
• distress
• disturb
• exercise
• flurry
• frazzle
• freak (out)
• fuss
• hagride
• perturb
• undo
• unhinge
• upset
• weird out
• worry

Examples of unsettle in a Sentence

Such a sudden change will unsettle her.

the news that the local grocery store had sold contaminated produce unsettled many shoppers

Recent Examples on the Web

There is evidence for both views, but much is unclear, and that uncertainty has confounded the Federal Reserve, unsettled the financial markets, and alarmed the general public. —George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

The Trump administration has been on a chaotic tariff spree over the past several months, escalating trade tensions with China and unsettling Americans. —Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025

The team may have to rely on the rookie sooner than later as the quarterback position is unsettled to say the least. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025

Grant has worked closely with Delap on every aspect of his performance, including the right way to channel his physicality and unsettle opponents with his powerful build. —Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for unsettle

• betel
• cetyl
• kettle
• metal
• mettle
• nettle
• petal
• setal
• settle
• diacetyl
• gunmetal
• nonmetal

Kids Definition

unsettle

verb

un·​set·​tle ˌən-ˈset-ᵊl 

ˈən-

1

: to move or loosen from a settled state

2

: to make uneasy

change unsettles him