ˌən-ˈset-liŋ
1
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
unsettling new developments in the effort to bring peace and stability to that region
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
had the unsettling task of picking out a coffin and making the other funeral arrangements for his father
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
the news that the local grocery store had sold contaminated produce unsettled many shoppers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsettling
Earl Carr, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The spectacle closely paralleled the unsettling celebration that Mr. Milchick throws in this week's episode, in which Tillman's character acted as a drum major stylishly fronting the company's Choreography & Merriment players to commemorate a major milestone in the Macrodata Refinement department.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
These platforms offer unfiltered access to human behavior at its most authentic — and often its most unsettling.
—Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
In Adolescence’s four episodes — all shot in one appropriately claustrophobic and unsettling long take — Katie isn’t important; Jamie is.
—Shannon Keating, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Adjective
For new investors in their early 20s or 30s who have never experienced a market correction or for someone planning on retiring soon, experiencing a market correction can be very unsettling.
—Earl Carr, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The spectacle closely paralleled the unsettling celebration that Mr. Milchick throws in this week's episode, in which Tillman's character acted as a drum major stylishly fronting the company's Choreography & Merriment players to commemorate a major milestone in the Macrodata Refinement department.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
These platforms offer unfiltered access to human behavior at its most authentic — and often its most unsettling.
—Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
In Adolescence’s four episodes — all shot in one appropriately claustrophobic and unsettling long take — Katie isn’t important; Jamie is.
—Shannon Keating, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettling
Adjective
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Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.—
Steven Levy,
Wired News,
28 Mar. 2025
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Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium.—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The whole exchange left Brooke feeling a little uneasy.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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And of course, various consumer surveys have showed that Americans are feeling uneasy.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Remi Bader's weight loss journey also included a troubling experience with the weight loss drug Ozempic.—
Athena Sobhan,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Democrats argue that the Signal scandal follows a troubling pattern of careless handling of national security information under President Trump.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This year — in the wake of California wildfires and a tense presidential inauguration — the need to escape felt even more pronounced.—
Danielle Dorsey,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2025
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On Friday, another tense hearing between Judge Boasberg and Trump's Justice Department.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This is a clever way to offer a dual-screen experience without the flaws inherent to current dual-screen laptops, including distracting hinges and designs with questionable durability.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
7 Jan. 2025
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In a car, this could be used to hide distracting entertainment displays from the driver while passengers are able to see information such as music playlists or calendar alerts, for example.—
Barry Collins,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While studying a rare species whose mating call appears to be the frightening shrieks the team has been hearing in the woods, the pair hired Kodiak (McHale) as their guide.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
21 Mar. 2025
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Granted that a 1 degree Celsius change in world average temperature can translate into a 4-degree Celsius increase in some of the most climate precarious countries, this last scenario is frightening.—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As the end of the sale nears, the company running things becomes more and more anxious to sell as much of the merchandise as possible.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
22 Mar. 2025
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Highlight your expertise—maybe that's handling anxious children or those with special needs.—
Ajay Prasad,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Overweight and obesity need to be treated safely and effectively to avoid that worrying forecast.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Dec. 2024
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Bitcoin has dropping back from its all-time high of over $100,000 in the last week as BlackRock quietly confirmed a worrying bitcoin bombshell.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Unsettling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettling. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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