unsettling

adjective

un·​set·​tling

ˌən-ˈset-liŋ,

-ˈse-tᵊl-iŋ 

: having the effect of upsetting, disturbing, or discomposing

unsettling images of the war

unsettlingly

ˌən-ˈset-liŋ-lē

-ˈse-tᵊl-iŋ- 

adverb

Synonyms

• discomforting
• discomposing
• disquieting
• distressing
• disturbing
• nagging
• nasty
• perturbing
• troublesome
• troubling
• troublous
• upsetting
• worrisome

Examples of unsettling in a Sentence

unsettling new developments in the effort to bring peace and stability to that region

had the unsettling task of picking out a coffin and making the other funeral arrangements for his father

Recent Examples on the Web

Given that feeling competent in one’s work is one of the three basic psychological human needs, this may be unsettling for some. —Ellen Choi, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

The thought of spending months on end in the sweltering heat is very unsettling for me. —Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025

Related article The artist making unsettling AI images of the human body To produce the Satan Shoes, MSCHF snuck into a factory in Maspeth, Queens, to form an assembly line into the early hours of the morning. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025

The silent close-ups of the people in the vehicle are subtly unsettling, while all around them rolls a beautiful, forbidding landscape. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsettling

• settling
• resettling