unsettle
verb
un·set·tle
ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl 
unsettled; unsettling; unsettles
1
: to loosen or move from a settled state or condition : make unstable : disorder
A mild aftershock unsettled several more structures.
2
: to perturb or agitate mentally or emotionally : discompose
Such a sudden change will only unsettle her.
: to become unsettled
Synonyms of unsettle
Examples of unsettle in a Sentence
Such a sudden change will unsettle her.
the news that the local grocery store had sold contaminated produce unsettled many shoppers
Recent Examples on the Web
That is precisely the capability that unsettles underwriters, because an agent that can decide is an agent that can decide wrongly, and fast.
—
Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Some travelers were unsettled by a Ukrainian drone attack earlier this week on a passenger train traveling from Moscow to Crimea, injuring its driver and killing his assistant.
—ABC News, 11 June 2026
In a country to which some came for religious freedom and others were brought to be sold into slavery, the ship unsettled me.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026
Llorca says the comment immediately unsettled her.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettle
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Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Some travelers were unsettled by a Ukrainian drone attack earlier this week on a passenger train traveling from Moscow to Crimea, injuring its driver and killing his assistant.
—ABC News, 11 June 2026
In a country to which some came for religious freedom and others were brought to be sold into slavery, the ship unsettled me.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026
Llorca says the comment immediately unsettled her.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettle
Cite this Entry
“Unsettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsettle. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unsettle
verb
un·set·tle
ˌən-ˈset-ᵊl
ˈən-
1
: to move or loosen from a settled state
2
: to make uneasy
change unsettles him
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