unsettle

verb

un·​set·​tle ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl How to pronounce unsettle (audio)
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

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
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.
The back-and-forth has unsettled some business owners, in the view of Leah Toeniskoetter, president of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce. George Avalos, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025 However, his tariffs are unsettling global markets, which fear a trade war will harm growth, push business costs much higher and trigger a recession. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025 Nor can anyone predict the next thing the administration might do that will further unsettle investors, consumers, businesses or other countries. Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025 Growing uncertainty around the Trump administration’s trade policy toward China, Mexico, Canada and the European Union has unsettled markets over the past month, sending the S & P 500 into a 10% correction at one point late last week. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsettle

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsettle was in 1598

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Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

unsettle

verb
un·​set·​tle ˌən-ˈset-ᵊl How to pronounce unsettle (audio)
ˈən-
1
: to move or loosen from a settled state
2
: to make uneasy
change unsettles him

More from Merriam-Webster on unsettle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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