unsettling

ADJECTIVE

disturbing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alarming creepy depressing disconcerting discouraging disquieting distressing frightening ominous painful perplexing startling troubling unpleasant worrisome worrying

STRONG

aggravating agitating annoying discommoding discomposing dismaying embarrassing foreboding harassing impeding irritating perturbing provoking threatening trying upsetting vexing

WEAK

bothersome burdensome consequential difficult disagreeable discomforting disruptive distressful gloomy hard inconvenient intrusive irksome laborious onerous pessimistic prophetic severe sinister tiresome toilsome troublesome troublous uncertain wearisome

Antonyms

STRONGEST

auspicious comforting delightful encouraging good happy 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.

Limbo doesn’t have a ZIP code, but it’s an awfully unsettling place to live.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

It could be an empty office block, a hallway or a corridor - unsettling between-zones.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

“I know this may be unsettling when reduced to simple headlines or a quote out of context.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

But the similarities between what played out in Season 4 of “The Boys” and our version of current events is beyond unsettling.

From Salon • Dec. 28, 2024

It was in some ways unsettling, but compelling as well.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

unsettling

Example Sentences

Related Words