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 dispute raises unsettled questions about the copyright interest of the parties in an interview. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Dec. 2024

The stretch of unsettled weather also produced an EF-1 tornado that impacted Buffalo, New York. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 28 Dec. 2024

Wet and unsettled weather will bring periods of light to moderate rainfall to the region with the biggest impact expected over the North Bay. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Meanwhile the Browns’ quarterback position has never been so unsettled. —Jim Ingraham, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined above

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