1
as in annoying
causing annoyance
a disturbing visit by the next-door neighbor while I was trying to study
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2
as in embarrassing
causing embarrassment
there was a disturbing silence as I struggled to remember her name
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3
as in unsettling
causing worry or anxiety
a disturbing trend in the nation's energy consumption
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4
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
a disturbing pause in the normally smooth operation of the machinery
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1
as in alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
all that talk of war disturbed us
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2
as in removing
to change the place or position of
the items on her desk had been disturbed by someone
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3
as in disrupting
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
her careful filing system is sure to be disturbed during the move
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4
as in bothering
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation
sorry to disturb you while you're working
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5
as in troubling
to cause discomfort to or trouble for
please do not disturb yourself—I'll get my own drink
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disturbing
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Even more disturbing, some brands whose products were labeled as melatonin in the study actually had cannabidiol, or CBD, in them instead.
—
Sally Ibrahim,
The Conversation,
23 June 2026
Bob Wojnowski,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2026
The film, a reimagining of John Alan Schwartz’s 1978 film, follows a website content moderator (Ferreira) who becomes obsessed with a series of disturbing videos that seem to recreate scenes from the iconic Faces of Death film series.
—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Adjective
Neighbors in the community say the incident is deeply disturbing, as kids are always walking to the bus stop, passing, and playing in the park.
—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Even more disturbing, some brands whose products were labeled as melatonin in the study actually had cannabidiol, or CBD, in them instead.
—
Sally Ibrahim,
The Conversation,
23 June 2026
Verb
What a depressing, disturbing waste, no matter the final verdict.
—
Bob Wojnowski,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2026
The film, a reimagining of John Alan Schwartz’s 1978 film, follows a website content moderator (Ferreira) who becomes obsessed with a series of disturbing videos that seem to recreate scenes from the iconic Faces of Death film series.
—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbing
Adjective
-
This is a realm of exposition-heavy opening credits, relentlessly earwormy theme tunes, and heroes who, for no obvious reason, choose to hang out with cute/annoying [delete as appropriate] comedy sidekicks like Orko and Snarf.
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This would have evoked annoying memories of the 0-0 draw against Morocco in 2022 and 1-1 draw with Russia in 2018 for Spain.
Adjective
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But goals from Harry Kane in the 75th and 86th minutes saved England from an embarrassing early exit.
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America is better when Paul Skenes is embarrassing hitters with Livvy in the stands pounding Miller Lites.
Adjective
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After all, Against Nature is all about the unsettling atmosphere and the senses.
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Seeking a fresh start, Ellie moves into a house on Delaney Row hoping to leave her troubled past behind, only to discover that her new home is steeped in dark secrets and unsettling mysteries.
Adjective
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The company and the government have since seemed to settle into an uneasy truce.
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But some retirees remain uneasy about security concerns, healthcare quality, and property ownership structures.
Verb
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So, even just the unusual presence of an aircraft in this area made this incident alarming for one resident, Anna, who spoke to CNN near the scene.
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At the same time, the state’s spending keeps growing quickly as well, alarming the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which advises the Legislature on fiscal matters.
Verb
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Regular care prevents yellowing by removing oils and buildup that dull fabrics over time.
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Bart Jansen Trump called the court removing restrictions on political spending a victory for Republicans and free speech.
Verb
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Researchers have identified hormone-disrupting and asthma-associated chemicals in some consumer products and continue to investigate combinations of chemicals that may warrant closer testing.
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Its tendency to rapidly reproduce, forming dense colonies on underwater surfaces, can clog pipes, pumps and critical water infrastructure while disrupting local ecosystems.
Verb
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Travis was snapped having a blast bothering Jason as the duo attended a match between Jupiter Links GC and The Bay Golf Club at SoFi Center on March 3.
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For now, the Royals hope to figure out exactly what’s bothering him.
Cite this Entry
“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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