as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
the news that the local grocery store had sold contaminated produce unsettled many shoppers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unsettle
The San Francisco Girls Chorus, still reeling from a leadership scandal that unsettled families and staff last year, has named a new executive director ahead of a major milestone.
—
Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026
Local media rights are unsettled, labor issues are expected to cause a lockout in 2027, and the lack of a salary cap creates payroll disparities.
—Luisa Beltran, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
City arrived unsettled in shape and selection, carrying the weight of a season that had never given them room to find either.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2026
For Iran, the UAE is a prime location where strikes can simultaneously pressure Washington, disrupt global energy flows, unsettle international finance and corporates, and generate worldwide attention.
—Emma Graham, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettle
Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026
Local media rights are unsettled, labor issues are expected to cause a lockout in 2027, and the lack of a salary cap creates payroll disparities.
—Luisa Beltran, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
City arrived unsettled in shape and selection, carrying the weight of a season that had never given them room to find either.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2026
For Iran, the UAE is a prime location where strikes can simultaneously pressure Washington, disrupt global energy flows, unsettle international finance and corporates, and generate worldwide attention.
—Emma Graham, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettle
Verb
-
The charges include alleged activity on social media, sending content to foreign media outlets, espionage and disturbing public order, HRANA said before adding that its count was based on official reports.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Some philosophical discussions are lost but some necessarily disturbing physical moments are kept.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior.—
William Earl,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But a few days before Sonya disappeared, something was bothering her, her mother said.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The sidewalk was bustling, but no one even bothered to rubberneck.—
Amanda Peet,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, presidential authority has expanded to a degree that would have alarmed the framers of the American Constitution.—
Anthony Scaramucci,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Whether that future excites or alarms fans, the law—not nostalgia or tradition—will determine who suits up in March.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the 19th, Grace Panetta studied the answers in another Navigator focus group, from young women worried about economic ups and downs.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
But residents worry what's next amid heightened military presence.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At Dillon Reservoir, low snowpack paints a concerning picture, with statewide levels dipping to record lows.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Investigators are examining suspicions of bribery involving a foreign public official and complicity which concerns former French diplomat Fabrice Aidan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pour in egg mixture and immediately stir with a heatproof rubber spatula, incorporating ham and gently agitating eggs, and running it along edges until sides begin to bubble, about 30 seconds.—
Inés Anguiano,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Barnes took on Jokic and fronted him aggressively, agitating him early in the game, but the three-time MVP managed to fight through it and limit his turnovers to two this time.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettle. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
