perturbing 1 of 2

adjective

pər-ˈtər-biŋ How to pronounce perturbing (audio)
Definition of perturbingnext
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety the perturbing news meant that we'd have to end our vacation prematurely

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

perturbing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of perturb
as in alarming
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 perturbing
Adjective
Now Hank has to contend with ride-share apps, boba, and bike lanes that interfere with his commute—adjustments that are perturbing to him. — Adrienne Matei, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2025 But Citron has proved to be one of the most surefire defensive options in this year’s draft, pairing a perturbing timing off the ball with her notable length at 6-foot-1 to grow into one of the nation’s most disruptive defenders. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 Soon, Callaghan — alongside Nic Mosher and Evan Gilbert-Katz — was traversing the country in a shabby RV, documenting the surreal, perturbing and often hilarious fringes of American culture. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026 Advertisement Indeed, along with a perturbing reliance on fossil fuels, around 18–20% of Saudi youth are unemployed, meaning developing productive avenues for them is a policy priority as set out in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
The collision would trigger fusion, perturbing a magnetic field, which in turn produces power. — Harry Booth, Time, 29 Oct. 2025 Wait a few hundred-thousand years, and another star will drift into our Oort cloud, perturbing it and potentially triggering new comets arriving in our inner Solar System. — Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 Soon, Callaghan — alongside Nic Mosher and Evan Gilbert-Katz — was traversing the country in a shabby RV, documenting the surreal, perturbing and often hilarious fringes of American culture. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perturbing
  1. disturbing
  2. alarming
  3. unsettling
  4. distracting
  5. troubling
  6. bothering
  7. frightening
  8. concerning
Adjective
  • There were many disturbing parts of Kerstin’s story left unpursued.
    — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • The film is a modern take on the creature horror film told from the perspective of a young boy who slowly begins to discover that his beloved parents are hiding a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 25 June 2026
Definition of disturbing
Verb
  • 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.
    — Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of alarming
Adjective
  • After all, Against Nature is all about the unsettling atmosphere and the senses.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 July 2026
  • 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.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
Definition of unsettling
Verb
  • Driving into the estate down a dirt track, you’re met with concrete walls that frame the space with gallery-like precision, directing your eyes toward geological features rather than distracting from them.
    — Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 3 July 2026
  • There was some online angst over whether Swift was distracting from football — while the NFL itself capitalized on her fandom.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of distracting
Adjective
  • The June 14 shooting has outraged community members and prompted protests in the small town of Senatobia, where residents point to a string of troubling encounters with police in recent years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • This year’s line-hardening—by my count, some twenty-three per cent of cases—is both remarkable and troubling.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
Definition of troubling
Verb
  • 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.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • For now, the Royals hope to figure out exactly what’s bothering him.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Definition of bothering
Adjective
  • Spain are a more understated attacking unit, and there’s a sense that while Lamine Yamal has been excellent, there is another gear for the Barcelona 18-year-old to find, which is fairly frightening for everyone else.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • For millions of individuals and businesses who rely on professional preparers, the answer portends a frightening prospect if the return preparer is dishonest.
    — Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of frightening
Verb
  • Last month, six women interviewed by the Times described concerning behavior by Platner, including excessive drinking, infidelity, and, in one account, physical intimidation.
    — Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Most concerning to Slok is what happens if this gap grows as AI deployment and productivity gains continue to sputter.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 July 2026
Definition of concerning

Browse Nearby Words

perturbed
perturbing
perturbingly
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Cite this Entry

“Perturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perturbing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on perturbing

Nglish: Translation of perturbing for Spanish Speakers

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