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.

Famous in the 17th century for her bold, sometimes disturbing paintings, she was largely forgotten when Baroque opulence went out of style.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Online shoppers chasing a bargain are at risk of buying fakes, with disturbing cases including perfume contaminated with horse urine.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

CTA President David Goldberg called the allegations “incredibly disturbing and unacceptable.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 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

From this altitude it appears the way Coachella or any major festival would look—which is disturbing to her, because entertainment is the last thing these people want right now.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

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