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disquiet

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disquiet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disquiet are agitate, discompose, disturb, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

In what contexts can agitate take the place of disquiet?

While the synonyms agitate and disquiet are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When might discompose be a better fit than disquiet?

Although the words discompose and disquiet have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When is disturb a more appropriate choice than disquiet?

The words disturb and disquiet can be used in similar contexts, but disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Where would fluster be a reasonable alternative to disquiet?

The meanings of fluster and disquiet largely overlap; however, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When could perturb be used to replace disquiet?

The synonyms perturb and disquiet are sometimes interchangeable, but perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When can upset be used instead of disquiet?

The words upset and disquiet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of disquiet
Noun
And yet there have been signs of disquiet in the Python kingdom. Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2024 Those were healing gestures at a time of deep disquiet. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2024
Verb
His Blackness disquieted the American ideals and sensibilities that proclaim us all equal. Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 26 May 2023 There are many conservatives, in politics and the media, who are disquieted about what DeSantis has done, vis-à-vis Disney. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 8 May 2023 See all Example Sentences for disquiet 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • In the months that followed, Fort Worth ISD was a district in turmoil.
    Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Catch up quick: Peltier was arrested following the Wounded Knee occupation of 1973 at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation amid violence and political turmoil.
    Russell Contreras, Axios, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Prado said volunteers are driving around town to encourage people to learn about their rights amid concerns about possible collateral arrests.
    Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Yet throughout the week, designers demonstrated their ability to engage with a larger societal landscape; by addressing concerns about inclusivity, protection and freedom, the Fall-Winter 2025 season provided a stage to escape as well as ideas to navigate the current climate.
    Alice Pfeiffer, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • An Israeli security official who was alarmed by the decision told Axios Katz made it for domestic political considerations and without consultation with Israel's security agencies.
    Barak Ravid, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Immigration advocates were particularly alarmed by the focus on those already in the country who received the status due to unstable conditions in their home country.
    Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • After a term marked by civil unrest, incompetence, moral and ethical failures, conspiracy theories, extremism, mismanaging COVID, and overseeing Republican losses in the House and the Senate, America was decidedly tired of Trump’s ineptitude and self-destructiveness.
    S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025
  • But unlike when Trump helped spark a mob of his supporters to attack the Capitol and tried to retain power in 2021 after his loss to Democrat Joe Biden, officials are not expecting massive protests, unrest or violence.
    Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Letting go of the fear now serves as an unspoken theme of Chickahominy.
    Tricia Despres, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
  • The worker said colleagues were concerned about using social media or their phones, even personal ones, for fear they are being monitored or tapped.
    Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Another worried the fire had crept out of the Palisades toward Santa Monica Canyon, endangering his house.
    Shawn Hubler, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025
  • As writers stopped worrying about viewers losing the thread, their shows started resembling ultra-long films.
    Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Beyond technical concerns, Iran's broader military buildup adds to regional unease.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Rose felt a sense of unease upon returning home, and Hadley continued to have episodes.
    Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The situation caused Campbell a lot of anxiety, but became a pivotal shift in her perspective.
    Kait Hanson, Glamour, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Then the widespread anxiety spurred by a wave of high-profile robberies and the deadly home-invasion of Jacqueline Avant.
    Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near disquiet

Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on disquiet

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