disquiet

1 of 3

verb

dis·​qui·​et (ˌ)dis-ˈkwī-ət How to pronounce disquiet (audio)
disquieted; disquieting; disquiets
Synonyms of disquiet

transitive verb

: to take away the peace or tranquility of : disturb, alarm
were disquieted by recent events
disquieting adjective
disquietingly
(ˌ)dis-ˈkwī-ə-tiŋ-lē How to pronounce disquiet (audio)
adverb

disquiet

2 of 3

noun

: lack of peace or tranquility : anxiety
great disquiet among shareholders

disquiet

3 of 3

adjective

archaic
: uneasy, disquieted
disquietly adverb

Synonyms of disquiet

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Verb

Noun

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Choose the Right Synonym for disquiet

discompose, disquiet, disturb, perturb, agitate, upset, fluster mean to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action.

discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

Examples of disquiet in a Sentence

Verb we were disquieted by the strange noises we heard outside our tent at night Noun There is increasing public disquiet about the number of violent crimes in the city. a period of disquiet before the results of the close election were confirmed
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
The subjects say rending but also disquieting things about killing. — Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026 This is NDiaye at her disquieting best. — Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
Curbs on free speech only add to the disquiet. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 1 Apr. 2026 That disquiet is all merely a footnote now, though. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Adjective
The uncertainties that led to disquiet over nuclear power across the country in the 1970s and 1980s have not gone away but have changed as technology has evolved. — Krisztian Elcsics, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026 Angola was the third stop on an 11-day tour of four African nations that has prompted wide excitement among the faithful on a continent, which is home to around 20% of the world’s Catholics – but also disquiet in some quarters. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disquiet

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1581, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disquiet was circa 1530

Rhymes for disquiet

See All Rhymes for disquiet

Browse Nearby Words

disquantity
disquiet
disquieten
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disquiet. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

disquiet

1 of 2 verb
dis·​qui·​et (ˈ)dis-ˈkwī-ət How to pronounce disquiet (audio)
: to make uneasy or restless : disturb
disquietingly
-iŋ-lē How to pronounce disquiet (audio)
adverb

disquiet

2 of 2 noun
: an uneasy feeling

More from Merriam-Webster on disquiet

Nglish: Translation of disquiet for Spanish Speakers

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