unsettle

verb

un·​set·​tle ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl 

unsettled; unsettling; unsettles

transitive verb

1

: to loosen or move from a settled state or condition : make unstable : disorder

A mild aftershock unsettled several more structures.

2

: to perturb or agitate mentally or emotionally : discompose

Such a sudden change will only unsettle her.

intransitive verb

: to become unsettled

Synonyms of unsettle

• disturb
• distract
• bother
• alarm
• worry
• concern
• agitate

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

Mamdani’s victory seemed to have surprised and unsettled him. —Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026

Bay Area institutions, including San Francisco Ballet, have withdrawn from Kennedy Center engagements, part of a broader exodus that has thinned programming and unsettled the arts community. —Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026

Next week will also be unsettled with a chance of showers Tuesday through Friday. —Tammie Souza, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

Diana’s death unsettles both John and Carolyn in the series. —Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for unsettle

• betel
• cetyl
• kettle
• metal
• mettle
• nettle
• petal
• setal
• settle
• diacetyl
• gunmetal
• nonmetal

Kids Definition

unsettle

verb

un·​set·​tle ˌən-ˈset-ᵊl 

ˈən-

1

: to move or loosen from a settled state

2

: to make uneasy

change unsettles him