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disquiet

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disquiet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disquiet are agitate, discompose, disturb, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

In what contexts can agitate take the place of disquiet?

While the synonyms agitate and disquiet are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When might discompose be a better fit than disquiet?

Although the words discompose and disquiet have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When is disturb a more appropriate choice than disquiet?

The words disturb and disquiet can be used in similar contexts, but disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Where would fluster be a reasonable alternative to disquiet?

The meanings of fluster and disquiet largely overlap; however, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When could perturb be used to replace disquiet?

The synonyms perturb and disquiet are sometimes interchangeable, but perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When can upset be used instead of disquiet?

The words upset and disquiet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

How does the verb disquiet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disquiet are agitate, discompose, disturb, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

In what contexts can agitate take the place of disquiet?

While the synonyms agitate and disquiet are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When might discompose be a better fit than disquiet?

Although the words discompose and disquiet have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When is disturb a more appropriate choice than disquiet?

The words disturb and disquiet can be used in similar contexts, but disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Where would fluster be a reasonable alternative to disquiet?

The meanings of fluster and disquiet largely overlap; however, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When could perturb be used to replace disquiet?

The synonyms perturb and disquiet are sometimes interchangeable, but perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When can upset be used instead of disquiet?

The words upset and disquiet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disquiet
Noun
There’s understandably a lot of disquiet, as he is now viewed as a total pariah. Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Additionally, her former schoolmate, who is now an activist nun, brings disquiet to the community when she is stranded there while returning the remains of a former nun, a murder victim. The Know, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
Verb
The combination of quavering flutes and solemn, unfamiliar corridors is disquieting. Hazlitt, 10 Dec. 2025 As a consequence, the president has given fresh impetus to a story that has disquieted even parts of his base. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • Rizvi’s The Great Shamsuddin Family is a social satire set over the course of a single day in Delhi, following a writer racing to meet a crucial deadline while managing her family’s escalating turmoil.
    Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
  • On today’s Big Take podcast, a look at how Iran could throw energy supplies into turmoil even after shooting stops.
    David Gura, Bloomberg, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Federal officers have used administrative warrants to do so, raising concerns that constitutional protections are being skirted.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The new legislation attempts to address some of those concerns.
    Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • At the same time, presidential authority has expanded to a degree that would have alarmed the framers of the American Constitution.
    Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Whether that future excites or alarms fans, the law—not nostalgia or tradition—will determine who suits up in March.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Basij have long operated as a national paramilitary force under the command of Iran's Islamic theocratic rulers, playing a major role in violently quashing anti-government protests, including the unprecedented wave of unrest in January.
    CBS News, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Elsewhere, experts have warned of social unrest as pump prices soar, rattling governments in Southeast Asia.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Eyes wide, panting near panic, Foster perfectly captures the audience's own fear of being alone in the dark with a monster.
    Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Iran’s neighbors, particularly Turkey and Iraq, are preparing contingency plans including border fortifications and refugee shelters amid fears of a potential crisis.
    Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Don’t worry too much about things being perfect, either.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Ukraine’s top sanctions adviser is worried the mountain of restrictions piled against Russia’s oil and gas industry since 2022 is close to crumbling under the weight of soaring global oil prices.
    Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Polling suggests unease about the dramatic way Trump has imposed the levies.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
  • With growing unease in the US about the war and its economic impact on ordinary citizens, Trump has been forced to change tack in recent days.
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The president is fighting against historical headwinds for the party in power and, like President Joe Biden before him, is navigating voter anxiety about the cost of living in America.
    David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 16 Mar. 2026
  • In a year where anxiety over studio contraction and the rise of artificial intelligence often consumed the industry, both films gave Hollywood fresh hope.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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