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Definitions

unsettle

[uhn-set-l] / ʌnˈsɛt l /
VERB
bother, upset
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitate confuse disconcert disorganize disquiet disrupt disturb perturb rattle unnerve
STRONG
derange disarrange disarray discommode discompose disorder displace down flurry fluster fuddle jumble needle ruffle rummage sicken spook throw trouble turn unbalance unhinge
WEAK
dement get to psych out put off throw off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
appease arrange calm comfort order organize please quiet soothe
STRONG
help make well
WEAK
balance compose settle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The artworks are as likely to unsettle as they are to move.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

These tensions could unsettle production in electric vehicles and defence equipment too, says Naoki Hattori, chief Japan economist at Mizuho.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

Doing the wrong thing or sending the wrong signal could unsettle markets, tighten financial conditions unnecessarily or allow inflation to reaccelerate.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 27, 2025

This encouraged wicketkeeper Godfrey Evans to tell Len Hutton, the England captain, to instruct the quick bowlers to keep aiming for yorkers in order to unsettle Wazir.

From Barron's • Oct. 13, 2025

And the rolling motion of the boat continued to unsettle him.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.