unsettle

verb

ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl How to pronounce unsettle (audio)
Definition of unsettlenext
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

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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 When police spoke to Miller’s friends and family, several individuals mentioned feeling odd or unsettled about Randolph and Miller’s interactions. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026 The failure raises the prospect of early elections, though President Nicusor Dan has warned that a snap vote could deepen instability and unsettle financial markets. — Stephen McGrath, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 Monday in Philadelphia stays cool and unsettled, with the front stalled just south of the region and scattered rain chances, especially across southeastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Delaware. — Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026 Man is an unknowable creature, and few things unsettle it more than forcing it to live within its mystery. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettle
  1. disturb
  2. distract
  3. bother
  4. alarm
  5. worry
  6. concern
  7. agitate
Verb
  • If anything, the University of Toronto researchers discovered, we humans are the ones disturbing our dogs’ sleep.
    — Gina Vivinetto, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The disembodied emcee voice for the performance only asks that flash not be used, and that any photography or videography not disturb surrounding attendees.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • Elsewhere Citroën is banking on retro-chic styling to distract consumers from the vehicle's minimalism.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026
  • For Bajaria, the brief opportunity to own a legacy studio didn’t distract from her core mission.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of distract
Verb
  • Palo Alto Networks did that after buying [Israeli startup] CyberArk, but why would most companies bother?
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • That woman was truly unbothered, a term tossed around online, but the literal act of not being bothered is impossible for most people beyond the quirkiest, like my onetime neighbor, or maybe Fran Lebowitz.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • There are signs that the President is unravelling, in ways that are different from late-period Joe Biden but are alarming all the same.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The symptom that alarmed me most in that moment was the progressive skin wrinkling in some NCBRS teens.
    — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of alarm
Verb
  • Nothing to worry about, though, as the hotel is located in a neighborhood packed with restaurants and bars of all sorts.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Following these reports, concerns are circulating about what exactly caused the death and quarantine — and just how worried the rest of the world should be.
    — Renée Onque, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • Grimes is a longtime advocate of AI, particularly concerning its use in music.
    — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The narrative structure is perhaps more linear now, even though this part of the story, concerning Pacciani, spans from 1951 to 1996, covering a massively long time frame.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of concern
Verb
  • Love for California is what spurs so many of its people to call out its flaws and agitate for change.
    — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Each of these segments offers your community bank an opportunity to personalize your marketing to provide more value and deepen your relationship, rather than sending along generic one-size-fits-all offers that are ignored or agitate your base.
    — Brian Reilly, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of agitate

Browse Nearby Words

unserviceable
unsettle
unsettled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unsettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettle. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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