DISQUIET Synonyms: 192 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'disquiet' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disquiet are agitate , discompose , disturb , fluster , perturb , and upset . While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind. // the disquieting news of factories closing

Q: In what contexts can 'agitate' take the place of 'disquiet'?

While the synonyms agitate and disquiet are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement. // in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

Q: When might 'discompose' be a better fit than 'disquiet'?

Although the words discompose and disquiet have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress. // discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

Q: When is 'disturb' a more appropriate choice than 'disquiet'?

The words disturb and disquiet can be used in similar contexts, but disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption. // the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Q: Where would 'fluster' be a reasonable alternative to 'disquiet'?

The meanings of fluster and disquiet largely overlap; however, fluster suggests bewildered agitation. // his declaration of love completely flustered her

Q: When could 'perturb' be used to replace 'disquiet'?

The synonyms perturb and disquiet are sometimes interchangeable, but perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions. // perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

Q: When can 'upset' be used instead of 'disquiet'?

The words upset and disquiet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief. // the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

disquiet 1 of 2

noun

Definition of disquiet

as in turmoil

a disturbed or uneasy state a period of disquiet before the results of the close election were confirmed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in concern

an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble was filled with disquiet as the hours passed without any sign of the missing children

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disquiet

2 of 2

verb

(ˌ)dis-ˈkwī-ət

as in to concern

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy we were disquieted by the strange noises we heard outside our tent at night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disquiet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disquiet are agitate, discompose, disturb, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

In what contexts can agitate take the place of disquiet?

While the synonyms agitate and disquiet are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

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

When might discompose be a better fit than disquiet?

Although the words discompose and disquiet have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When is disturb a more appropriate choice than disquiet?

The words disturb and disquiet can be used in similar contexts, but disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Where would fluster be a reasonable alternative to disquiet?

The meanings of fluster and disquiet largely overlap; however, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When could perturb be used to replace disquiet?

The synonyms perturb and disquiet are sometimes interchangeable, but perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When can upset be used instead of disquiet?

The words upset and disquiet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

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 disquiet

Noun

But the former reality television star struck a chord in Russia, where disquiet has been bubbling for months over issues including a sweeping crackdown on the internet. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026 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

Verb

The author calculated the shock wave’s energy that would be deposited in a human body by using physics similar to that of a bullet impact, which, though disquieting to say the least, is not a bad assumption from a scientific standpoint. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026 To say that Nicholas did not share his father’s politics is an understatement, but much of his bibliography can be seen as a reckoning with his father’s unsettling career in politics and disquieting legacy. — Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disquiet

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet

Noun

The landlocked mineral-rich nation is facing one of its deepest political crises in decades as economic turmoil, nationwide protests and a battle over the country’s future threaten to reshape the balance of power in South America.

— Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Political turmoil intensifies as resignations, Russia’s rising threat and pressure from a skeptical United States leave Britain’s next leader to prove the plan can truly safeguard Europe.

— Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of turmoil

Noun

To use available resources to block line of sight from the American Glass Research International complex to Trump, despite identifying this line of sight as a concern.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Over in the geopolitical front, fresh escalating tensions draw concern as Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, prompting Poland to scramble jets while Finland restricted airspace.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 3 July 2026

Definition of concern

Verb

Those measures, however, have alarmed privacy advocates, who argue that age-gating the internet would affect all users — not just children.

— Angela Yang, NBC news, 30 June 2026
That’s alarmed the National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents about 400 nurses and staff at two psychiatric hospitals in Sacramento.

— Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

Definition of alarm

Noun

Chevron benefits from unrest in the Middle East and other factors that can elevate energy prices.

— Catherine Brock, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Shows of extravagance like these have not been met with kindness in a world torn by war, inflation, soaring gas prices and political unrest.

— Marc Malkin, Variety, 2 July 2026

Definition of unrest

Noun

Bell also spoke of the importance of prioritizing communication in their relationship — especially during moments of fear or insecurity.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Our country right now is mired in a level of bullying and intolerance that, for some, might feed their fears, but won’t feed their family.

— Dawn M. Turner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of fear

Verb

At 53%, most Americans worry AI could cost them or someone in their household a job, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released in June.

— Rachel Barber, USA Today, 1 July 2026
The 2025 outbreak was HPAI, and that’s the strain that continues to worry veterinarians and poultry scientists.

— Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

To convey the family’s internal unease, Cárdenas landed on a number of devices that were subtle but significant in terms of changing the optics of the series.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 3 July 2026
Declassified British documents from the 1960s revealed government unease over the presence of the micronation, as well as eventually shelved plans to bomb it.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026

Definition of unease

Noun

And at times members of the congregation thank her and others for casting aside those anxieties and keeping this place going.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
That uncertainty allows anxiety to grow because your brain naturally wants answers that do not yet exist.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of anxiety

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“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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