1
as in annoying
causing annoyance
a disturbing visit by the next-door neighbor while I was trying to study
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in embarrassing
causing embarrassment
there was a disturbing silence as I struggled to remember her name
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unsettling
causing worry or anxiety
a disturbing trend in the nation's energy consumption
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
a disturbing pause in the normally smooth operation of the machinery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
all that talk of war disturbed us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in removing
to change the place or position of
the items on her desk had been disturbed by someone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disrupting
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
her careful filing system is sure to be disturbed during the move
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bothering
to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation
sorry to disturb you while you're working
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in troubling
to cause discomfort to or trouble for
please do not disturb yourself—I'll get my own drink
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 disturbing
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 23 July 2025
During our father’s lifetime, he was relentlessly targeted by an invasive, predatory, and deeply disturbing disinformation and surveillance campaign orchestrated by J. Edgar Hoover through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 22 July 2025
Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Feb. 2025
The shop’s owner, Mahmoud Muna, and his nephew Ahmad were arrested for incitement, a charge later downgraded to disturbing public order, and are now serving five days of house arrest.
—Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Adjective
Authorities discovered the disturbing scene after a bleeding and barefoot Carturan escaped the townhouse and flagged a traffic agent.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 23 July 2025
During our father’s lifetime, he was relentlessly targeted by an invasive, predatory, and deeply disturbing disinformation and surveillance campaign orchestrated by J. Edgar Hoover through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 22 July 2025
Verb
Also, Prince has a list of disturbing assault allegations alleged by former partners.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Feb. 2025
The shop’s owner, Mahmoud Muna, and his nephew Ahmad were arrested for incitement, a charge later downgraded to disturbing public order, and are now serving five days of house arrest.
—Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disturbing
Adjective
-
Something that’s annoying, inefficient, or consistently painful.—
Darpan Munjal,
Forbes.com,
27 July 2025
-
The car inches along, slowly filling the air with the hope of a different future, carried on tiny — albeit annoying — wings.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
If Chekhov has no style, then why is there such an embarrassing number of translations of Chekhov?—
Philip Metres
July 30,
Literary Hub,
30 July 2025
-
After the embarrassing clip of the coworkers went beyond viral, both resigned from their positions at the AI tech company.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
It’s had a number of harrowing trailers and is now releasing full clips that the internet is finding deeply unsettling.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
-
Tell me what were some of the other possibilities that were floated to deal with this unsettling initial singularity?—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
She Rides Shotgun begins with one uneasy situation and ends on quite another, and the two hours in between are anything but comfortable.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
31 July 2025
-
Step 3: Open the door and actually listen Senior leaders should become more visible, Burke says, especially to help coach managers who feel uneasy addressing tough topics.—
Alyshia Hull,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
Start by removing the old hardware using a screwdriver, saving the screws if needed, and clean the surface to remove any residue.—
Perri Ormont Blumberg,
Architectural Digest,
27 Dec. 2024
-
The acids in toner can also act as chemical exfoliants, removing any extra dead skin cells or other debris that might build up.—
Amanda Svachula,
Health,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Robertson had a good sequence throwing a big hit on Gage Goncalves and disrupting his shot attempt seconds later.—
Omar White,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Artificial intelligence is already disrupting numerous sectors across society.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Jan. 2025
-
The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Any company found to be frustrating the cancellation process could face significant fines—perhaps more than $50,000 per violation.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
31 July 2025
-
Cook’s all-too-brief career is perhaps the most frustrating what-if in Cincinnati sports history.—
Jeff Suess,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbing. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share