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
Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Christina Ricci is recalling a disturbing moment from her childhood.
—Nicholas Rice, People.com, 12 Apr. 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
Officers were sent images from the business's Facebook page, which allegedly advertised the disturbing items.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Christina Ricci is recalling a disturbing moment from her childhood.
—Nicholas Rice, People.com, 12 Apr. 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
-
Increasing one’s protein intake requires an annoying amount of foresight, a willingness to experience short-term displeasure, or both.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
-
This eye-rolling, annual chore is annoying, obviously, but also tied to the functioning of government.—
Made by History,
Time,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Many Alaskans see the prospect as an embarrassing paradox – akin to Hawaii importing pineapples or New Mexico importing green chiles.—
Brett Watson,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Real people experience messy days, tell jokes, and share embarrassing stories.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The voice of Pope Francis has been such a voice—gentle, disarming, and at times, unsettling.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
-
These experiments busted the urban myth but also pointed to a the truth about how companies like Facebook sometimes serve up such disturbingly accurate advertisements that is much more complex, and unsettling.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Consumer sentiment and expectations Americans are feeling uneasy about the economy, and that is showing up in the data.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Still, Ruark is increasingly uneasy about the future.—
Catherine Baab,
Quartz,
22 Apr. 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
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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
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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
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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
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Timing Gaps: Traditional file transfers typically operate on rigid schedules—often daily or even weekly—creating frustrating delays between participant actions and results.—
Charlie Gautreaux,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Even the strongest and happiest relationships can falter when seemingly small, frustrating habits are left unaddressed.—
Jourdan Travers,
CNBC,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disturbing. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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