disturbing

[dih-stur-bing] / dɪˈstɜr bɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

disquieting

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alarming annoying bothersome creepy depressing disconcerting discouraging distressing embarrassing frightening irritating ominous painful perplexing sinister startling threatening troublesome troubling unpleasant unsettling upsetting vexing worrisome worrying

STRONG

aggravating agitating discommoding discomposing dismaying foreboding harassing impeding perturbing provoking trying

WEAK

burdensome consequential difficult disagreeable discomforting gloomy hard inconvenient irksome laborious onerous pessimistic prophetic severe tiresome toilsome uncertain wearisome

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable auspicious comforting delightful easy encouraging good happy helpful nice pleasant pleasing

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.

A new study of Neanderthal remains from a cave in Belgium is shedding light on a disturbing aspect of prehistoric life.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

"The impact of this shock is already baked in, even if the war stops today, this five-plus weeks of missing supplies of oil and gas, they are already disturbing economies," she said.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

But the messages became a lot more disturbing.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

This is a fitting characterization of any of these terse, disturbing novels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

He’d never told anyone about what he heard when he got near the trees, the disturbing things hoarded in his memory.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

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