disturbing
adjective
dis·turb·ing
di-ˈstər-biŋ 
: causing feelings of worry, concern, or anxiety
disturbing news
a disturbing discovery
The next phase in which I had a part was even more disturbing, and infinitely more painful.—
Bram Stoker
Bram Stoker
disturbingly
adverb
disturbingly high levels of pollution
a disturbingly familiar problem
… the texture of ordinary life and talk has taken on a disturbingly ambiguous quality …
—Jonathan Raban
Jonathan Raban
Examples of disturbing in a Sentence
a disturbing visit by the next-door neighbor while I was trying to study
there was a disturbing silence as I struggled to remember her name
a disturbing trend in the nation's energy consumption
a disturbing pause in the normally smooth operation of the machinery
Recent Examples on the Web
Warning: The following story elements, including photos and video, may be disturbing to some readers.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
The feature take is set amidst the 4th of July celebration, as a disturbing figure named Tommy Taffy emerges.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2025
In 2017, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey’s investigation for the New York Times exposed disturbing allegations, secret payouts and nondisclosure agreements.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
In my view, that’s a disturbing turn of events in a nation that celebrates free and creative expression.
—E. Andrew Taylor, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
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Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
The feature take is set amidst the 4th of July celebration, as a disturbing figure named Tommy Taffy emerges.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2025
In 2017, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey’s investigation for the New York Times exposed disturbing allegations, secret payouts and nondisclosure agreements.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
In my view, that’s a disturbing turn of events in a nation that celebrates free and creative expression.
—E. Andrew Taylor, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Cite this Entry
“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disturbing. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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