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

Bournemouth press high, force mistakes, and unsettle teams with their pacy, direct play. —Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025

The case has unsettled election experts and government watchdogs across the country, who say that overturning the election would undermine democracy and provide a blueprint for doing it again in the future. —Eduardo Medina, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2025

Stir in the Padres’ unsettling version of Family Feud, where the courts will decide whether beloved owner Peter Seidler’s widow, Sheel, or brothers Matt and Robert Seidler hold the long-term reins and the anxiety spikes. —Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025

This dark, enigmatic film is a chilling meditation on memory, identity, and guilt, wrapped in Lynch’s trademark unsettling style. —Darryn King, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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