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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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsettling
Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
An unsettling experiment occurs, and a new talent is discovered.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Gamze Acar Bayraktaroglu, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
From people discovered after swarms of flies are spotted inside a home to heartbreaking stories of pets found waiting with deceased owners, while unsettling, Snyder said that such occurrences are not as rare as many might believe.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Adjective
Which is why his dramatic and tragic unraveling — first professional, then personal — has been so unsettling to those who knew and came to rely on him.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
An unsettling experiment occurs, and a new talent is discovered.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
One of my clients, a senior executive in a major technology company, shared how the organization's shifting priorities were unsettling the team.
—Gamze Acar Bayraktaroglu, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
From people discovered after swarms of flies are spotted inside a home to heartbreaking stories of pets found waiting with deceased owners, while unsettling, Snyder said that such occurrences are not as rare as many might believe.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettling
Adjective
-
That's depicted in a disturbing, if somewhat inscrutable, scene.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Possibly, something disturbing will occur because someone has decided to make emotional demands on you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And that helped to resolve that weird uneasy tension in my head.—
Maria Reva
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
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The safe-haven asset offers investors a hedge against an uneasy financial environment as a sharp hiring slowdown coincides with a steady uptick of inflation, according to analysts.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The tackling was alarming enough that the Broncos were practicing on Monday with live tackles, something that’s not seen too often once the season starts.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Sep. 2025
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The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In Wind River, the investigation into Natalie's death is hindered by a troubling legal gap.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Sep. 2025
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In addition—and even more troubling—there remains a question of what this means for the work environment at the DOJ.—
Andrew Binns,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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After a turbulent few weeks, things only became more tense when Sean McLaughlin and Allyshia Gupta claimed to have information that could destroy the relationship.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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The first section is reasonably tense and engrossing.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The front-dash-spanning 48-inch screen is the headline feature, and, inside the car, almost the eyeline feature, but not a distracting one, despite its width.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
2 Sep. 2025
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This can be distracting in smooth soups or sauces, but barely noticeable in more rustic dishes.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Thunderstorms and lightning, very very frightening.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Since the release of 2013's The Conjuring, the frightening franchise has generally lost steam at the box office.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Maddie is talented, warm, funny and kind but also anxious, plagued with low self-esteem cultivated by a traumatic childhood.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
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The other may be unsure, though not opposed, but anxious about leaving family and community.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsettling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettling. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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