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

disturbingly

di-ˈstər-biŋ-lē 

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

Synonyms

• abrasive
• aggravating
• annoying
• bothersome
• carking
• chafing
• exasperating
• frustrating
• galling
• irksome
• irritating
• maddening
• nettlesome
• nettling
• peeving
• pesky
• pestiferous
• pestilent
• pestilential
• pesty
• plaguey
• plaguy
• rankling
• rebarbative
• riling
• vexatious
• vexing

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

Here are two reasons behind these often disturbing experiences, according to research. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

In court, attorneys for the state also described a disturbing scene. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024

Recently officials announced the disturbing news that bird flu has infected a pig in Oregon, a troubling development that health experts say could mean a more transmissible and virulent virus. —Seema Policepatil, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024

In the episode, Nimoy plays Dr. Wolf’s latest patient, an older woman named June, who is experiencing a bout of hyper sexuality that her sons find disturbing. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 18 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above