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
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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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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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Inflation, perhaps stiffened by tariffs, and uncertainty over the future of the labor market have left consumers feeling uneasy.—
DeArbea Walker,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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But the Armageddon-level stakes of unrest in the region should make anyone uneasy about mishaps.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As the investigation unfolded, more troubling allegations followed.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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What McCoy found after taking over teetering nonprofit’s leadership was deeply troubling.—
Jack Fowler,
National Review,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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After three days of tense competition at the Regional Championships, the postseason field narrowed from 36 to 16.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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On March 15, 2025, the family experienced the tense moments of watching a tornado form nearby but were fortunate enough to escape the worst.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
5 Apr. 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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Good news California began trying to police ghost guns after those frightening findings came out, enacting legislation in both 2022 and 2023 to curtail their unregulated sales.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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But the bloodshed that unfolded March 6-10 in Latakia and Tartous represents a frightening escalation.—
Chris Massaro,
Fox News,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Friday, a government report showed that the U.S. labor market held up better than expected in March despite the federal government’s layoffs, the crackdown on immigrants, and surveys showing that consumers and businesses are increasingly anxious about the economy.—
Josh Fellman,
Quartz,
4 Apr. 2025
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Not that Wendlinger is anxious for her time with the Mustangs to end.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 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 15 Apr. 2025.
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