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Definitions

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.

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Enter Optimized Flatulence, the new and disturbing trend of flatulating on your own schedule.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

The best-case scenario is, in a way, just as disturbing.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Elise Skillen says her family had already spent two weeks pleading with police to do more to find her missing sister Fiona Holm when they made a disturbing discovery.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

The most disturbing part of our argument in the car that day was the moment my dad declared that he hated his life.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

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