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
Katie Rife, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2025
Fortunately, the unsettling effect is offset by goofy background music, reminding viewers that even the most advanced robots can have a sense of humor on Halloween.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Andy Naylor, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
The cringing mortifications and unsettling unreality make the series a tough sit.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Adjective
The result is bizarre and unsettling, if also confounding.
—Verb
The excuse of Manchester United’s summer interest unsettling Baleba is wearing thin.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettling
Adjective
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Despite already having declared her candidacy, McKnight voiced disturbing and violent threats against Sheehy.—
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This story contains a description of a shooting some readers may find disturbing.—
Adjective
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Neighbors fear rising violence Residents said the shooting has left them uneasy.—
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But by evening, an uneasy calm had settled across the city.—
Verb
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While a small sample size, the historical record for what happens after the S & P 500 has a down month after a seven-month win streak is more reassuring than alarming for the near term.—
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China’s increasingly advanced military capabilities are alarming the West and reshaping the global balance of naval power, analysts said.—
Adjective
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Authorities said police responded to reports of a burglary early morning, when security staff alerted officers of the troubling incident.—
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Indeed, squandering fourth-quarter advantages become a troubling trend for the Ravens in Harbaugh’s last few seasons, and after a hamstring injury sidelined Jackson, Baltimore stumbled to a 1-5 start in 2025.—
Adjective
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Yet the competitive reality hit hardest during a tense FIBA break.—
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Davis became the director of CPW in April 2023 and has overseen the state’s controversial and often-tense wolf reintroduction program.—
Verb
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Writing essays, in the same way, lubricates my writing of fiction and vice versa—by distracting me and taking my thoughts elsewhere.—
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The glare from the sun had been reflecting in the lenses and distracting Smith.—
Adjective
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Experts immediately pointed out that Hassett had used a misleading method known as a cubic fit to make the mortality data appear less frightening.—
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When the sun went down, the Santa Anas began to blow, and the fire shifted into the familiar, frightening rhythm of inevitability.—
Adjective
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The self-laceration is done on Damon Albarn Time, though, as Idles’ usual anxious guitar rave-ups are slowed and stripped here to a skipping, reggae-ish crawl, as synths squeak in the background and Albarn offers support via his forever-distant, disembodied backing vocals.—
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Obviously, Meghan’s anxious about it.—
Cite this Entry
“Unsettling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettling. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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