ˌən-ˈset-liŋ
1
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
unsettling new developments in the effort to bring peace and stability to that region
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
had the unsettling task of picking out a coffin and making the other funeral arrangements for his father
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
the news that the local grocery store had sold contaminated produce unsettled many shoppers
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsettling
G. Patrick O'Brien, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025
For the world to witness such a spectacle in the Oval Office was deeply unsettling.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Instead of wondering whether democracy might ever transform Russia, a more unsettling prospect now is whether democracy will endure as a model at all.
—Neil MacFarquhar, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Fans of the show know that getting a job offer related to Severance might be an unsettling proposition, but the gentlemen of Odesza jumped at the opportunity.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Adjective
Their presence on the contested northern border was an unsettling reminder to the new American nation about the power Britain still exerted on the continent.
—G. Patrick O'Brien, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025
For the world to witness such a spectacle in the Oval Office was deeply unsettling.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Instead of wondering whether democracy might ever transform Russia, a more unsettling prospect now is whether democracy will endure as a model at all.
—Neil MacFarquhar, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Fans of the show know that getting a job offer related to Severance might be an unsettling proposition, but the gentlemen of Odesza jumped at the opportunity.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsettling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettling
Adjective
-
These findings should be deeply disturbing to Western policymakers, for at least two reasons.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices is disturbing.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The resolution is seeking $4.5 trillion in tax breaks and $2 trillion in spending cuts over the next 10 years, measures that have met opposition from Democrats and made some Republicans uneasy.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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In my conversations with barbecue people, there was often uneasy tension about whether craft barbecue is something new or a return to an old way of doing things.—
Rachel Monroe,
The New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Trump’s turn toward promoting IVF raises troubling ethical questions for the ongoing defense of innocent life.—
John Gerardi,
National Review,
2 Mar. 2025
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That is deeply troubling for a AAA RPG, much less one a decade in the making since GOTY Dragon Age: Inquisition back in 2014.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Jones, still vigorous at seventy-two, moves through space with ferocious intent while conjuring stories from the past: early dance sensations, tense interactions with the legendary Ailey, and clashes with critics who tried to box him in as a Black artist.—
Shauna Lyon,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
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Video shows President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vice President JD Vance in a tense meeting Friday before the U.S. and Ukraine were planning to sign a rare earth minerals deal.—
Sarah Lynch Baldwin,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This is a clever way to offer a dual-screen experience without the flaws inherent to current dual-screen laptops, including distracting hinges and designs with questionable durability.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
7 Jan. 2025
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In a car, this could be used to hide distracting entertainment displays from the driver while passengers are able to see information such as music playlists or calendar alerts, for example.—
Barry Collins,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Its mechanical legs resemble a Star Wars stormtrooper while its humanoid design, featuring extended coil arms and over-resilient survival adaptability, is both awesome and a little frightening — mankind’s extinction made cute.—
Armond White,
National Review,
26 Feb. 2025
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Funny how quickly things change in the NHL. Or frightening.—
Michael Russo,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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While many companies rapidly integrate AI, this data reveals a growing disconnect: employees are increasingly anxious about its impact.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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That is Europe’s most fundamental demand of Trump; the continent is intensely anxious about a pro-Moscow deal being forced on Zelensky.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Overweight and obesity need to be treated safely and effectively to avoid that worrying forecast.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Dec. 2024
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Bitcoin has dropping back from its all-time high of over $100,000 in the last week as BlackRock quietly confirmed a worrying bitcoin bombshell.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Unsettling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettling. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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