disturbing

adjective

dis·​turb·​ing di-ˈstər-biŋ How to pronounce disturbing (audio)
: 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
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

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
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.
Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous. Steven Levy, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025 Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium. Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025 One of 2024's most disturbing horror films sees pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) struggle to maintain her superstar career as her friends and family are picked off by a demonic force that feeds on trauma - and makes people kill themselves in obscenely violent ways. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025 Mengele’s actions were some of the most disturbing of the terrifying Nazi regime. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disturbing

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disturbing was in 1594

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Cite this Entry

“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disturbing. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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