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.

The technique is becoming increasingly popular in wildlife research because it allows scientists to study animals without disturbing them.

From Science Daily • May 20, 2026

The allegations uncovered by Panorama are "disturbing" and "incredibly worrying", said one of the country's leading women's safety charities.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

"The self-contained community survived for several thousand years, but with some kind of peaceful situation -- unlike the present day's disturbing situation, where everyone is keen to 'glorify' themselves by seeing the Sentinelese."

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

It marks a disturbing shift from the values that shaped modern democracies.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

You could run your fingers along it and measure how long it is; however, you’ll probably give the pencil a nudge, disturbing the pencil’s velocity slightly.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

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