unsettled

adjective

un·​set·​tled ˌən-ˈse-tᵊld 

: not settled: such as

a(1)

: not calm or tranquil : disturbed

unsettled political conditions

(2)

: likely to vary widely especially in the near future : variable

unsettled weather

(3)

: not settled down

unsettled dust

b(1)

: not decided or determined : doubtful

an unsettled state of mind

(2)

: not resolved or worked out : undecided

an unsettled question

c

: characterized by irregularity

an unsettled life

d

: not inhabited or populated

unsettled land

e

: not mentally sound

f(1)

: not disposed of according to law

an unsettled estate

(2)

: not paid or discharged

unsettled debts

unsettledness

ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl(d)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• capricious
• changeable
• changeful
• fickle
• flickery
• fluctuating
• fluid
• inconsistent
• inconstant
• mercurial
• mutable
• skittish
• temperamental
• uncertain
• unpredictable
• unstable
• unsteady
• variable
• volatile

Examples of unsettled in a Sentence

We have some unsettled business to attend to.

we've been having a lot of unsettled weather lately

Recent Examples on the Web

The world has been addicted to caffeine for centuries, and in the year 2025 the scientific argument over whether coffee is good or bad for you remains unsettled. —Pete Cottell, Wired News, 2 Apr. 2025

Yet Kennedy insists the science remains unsettled, mimicking his longtime playbook as head of the Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine advocacy group. —Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 1 Apr. 2025

While adding Daniels and versatile reserve Larry Borom on Monday night, the free agency of fellow Dolphins guards Liam Eichenberg and Isaiah Wynn remains unsettled. —David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025

However, territorial disputes between Beijing and Manila over the South China Sea remain unsettled, and their maritime forces continue to engage in standoffs or clashes, raising the specter of a future scenario that could draw the U.S. and China into conflict. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsettled

• resettled
• metalled
• nettled
• settled

Kids Definition

unsettled

adjective

un·​set·​tled ˌən-ˈset-ᵊld 

ˈən-

1

: not settled : not fixed (as in position or nature)

unsettled weather

2

: not calm : disturbed

unsettled waters

3

: not decided in mind : undetermined

unsettled about what to do

4

: not paid

an unsettled account

5

: not lived in by settlers

an unsettled region