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Definition of disquietnext
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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

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
But for outside observers and former military officials, those calls and conversations are an indication of a troubling disquiet within the ranks. Tom Bowman, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026 Curbs on free speech only add to the disquiet. Charlie Campbell, Time, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
To say that Nicholas did not share his father’s politics is an understatement, but much of his bibliography can be seen as a reckoning with his father’s unsettling career in politics and disquieting legacy. Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026 The subjects say rending but also disquieting things about killing. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • Years of turmoil presaged the takeover.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2026
  • In turn, bonds often become less attractive in response to economic turmoil.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • Disney is betting that this universal concern will drive audiences to the film.
    Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
  • From Lowell to Los Angeles, there are coast to coast concerns about what these data centers can do to the environment.
    David Wade, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • This poor girl no longer has an identity beyond pleasing her male companion, who becomes both stifled by alarmed by this sudden, non-consensual change in personality.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
  • The closures shrink the countywide advanced voting location network from 18 to 12 voting sites — alarming some Johnson County and city officials and the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • With one eye on opportunities tied to staggering technological advances, massive investments and soaring equity markets, and the other on inflation, global unrest and rising risks, businesses are choosing to build while the building is good.
    Scott Cohn, CNBC, 16 June 2026
  • He was initially paid to post anti-Islam posters and graffiti in Muslim neighborhoods of London, an apparent attempt to stoke unrest.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Little signs of humanity appeared in every direction, quietly defusing what could have become a disaster instigated by fear.
    Antonio Ferme, Variety, 14 June 2026
  • The event was halted after an hour due to fears about her safety, which distressingly encapsulates a tension that the trans Mayan artist has navigated for years.
    Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • Looking to be quite aggressive in a football sense and always looking for the solution and what can happen instead of worrying about what the problem is.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • Many have worried that the trend toward more historic, modern, and established art is leaving contemporary artists in the dust, but by the sounds of it yesterday, dealers confirmed strong interest in the latter category, with broader sales made across their program.
    Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • As terror has struck other cities around the world in recent months our shock and anger have been mixed with a growing sense of unease.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
  • Its deeper unease is that these systems are connected to one another.
    Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • For young children, anxiety might show up as physical complaints like tummy aches or headaches, while older kids may feel nervous and struggle to concentrate.
    Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 14 June 2026
  • Tasks can include smelling dangerously high or low glucose levels, smelling mood swings, anxiety and depression, smelling an impending seizure and many other tasks.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 14 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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