as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
a perturbed look betrayed her nervousness at her first job interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in disturbed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
the caller's strange remark perturbed me enough to keep me awake that night
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 perturbed
Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Running back Josh Jacobs was just as perturbed.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
When the Tribune printed exclusive details in advance of one of Edgar’s budget messages, Egler called to express how perturbed he and the administration were.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Atoms used to regulate optical clocks are perturbed by infrared radiation emitted by surrounding components, including the metal vacuum chamber holding them.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Nov. 2025
All of which is to say that the Knicks, who were quite perturbed by the tumult caused by this latest report, appear fully focused on making a legitimate title run with this group.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
At one point, even Skeet seems perturbed.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025
The outlet also reported students were also perturbed by the news.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
But she’s perturbed when Emily adds on the allegation about her makeout session, which Gretchen’s fiancé Slade claims to have on tape.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Dickinson appeared somewhere between perturbed and seething.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
The selloff also coincided with a probe into Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, which perturbed global investors over the potential of a loss of Fed independence.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
Running back Josh Jacobs was just as perturbed.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
When the Tribune printed exclusive details in advance of one of Edgar’s budget messages, Egler called to express how perturbed he and the administration were.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Atoms used to regulate optical clocks are perturbed by infrared radiation emitted by surrounding components, including the metal vacuum chamber holding them.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Nov. 2025
All of which is to say that the Knicks, who were quite perturbed by the tumult caused by this latest report, appear fully focused on making a legitimate title run with this group.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
At one point, even Skeet seems perturbed.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025
The outlet also reported students were also perturbed by the news.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
But she’s perturbed when Emily adds on the allegation about her makeout session, which Gretchen’s fiancé Slade claims to have on tape.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perturbed
Adjective
-
Capital expenditures, which are closely watched by investors who are worried about overspending, are expected to range between $175 billion to $185 billion in 2026.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
-
But Willie Brown, the former mayor and speaker was not worried that Newsom would overly burnish his own story in his book.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The study was conducted in a lab, where participants had never slept before, which could have also disturbed their sleep.—
Kaan Ozcan,
NBC news,
4 Feb. 2026
-
If the dirt is disturbed the next day, the den is occupied.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Potatoes naturally contain glycoalkaloids, but sprouting and green coloring indicate an increase in these compounds and a higher risk of toxic effects like vomiting and stomach upset.—
Aly Walansky,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Anything that promises to ease an upset stomach will galvanize the internet into trying it immediately.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Officials across the country received the invitation, which has alarmed some of its recipients, according to numerous media outlets.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2026
-
My behavior may have alarmed my roommates.—
Ivy Nelson,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Kansas sophomore guard Jamari McDowell actually didn’t have time to get nervous — or overthink his role — after learning freshman sensation Darryn Peterson would miss Monday’s game against Arizona because of flu-like symptoms.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Investors would understandably be nervous when both the CFO and the general counsel depart, according to Shivaram Rajgopal, an accounting professor at Columbia Business School.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Something that bothered Rick was confidence or anything that whiffed of overt masculinity.—
Margy Rochlin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But Watson hasn’t been bothered by the challenge of taking on older players.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Fall-Off can sometimes feel simpatico and obvious, with mellifluously soulful tones that conjure an air of anxious nostalgia.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2026
-
At the same time, consumers appeared less anxious about inflation.—
Benzinga,
Freep.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Size of the Milan Ice Skating Arena rink Figure skating ice rinks are usually free of markings so that skaters can compete without being distracted.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
-
While Duque wants thrifters to understand that price doesn't equal value, Rodriguez warns shoppers not to be distracted by appearance.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perturbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perturbed. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
