PERTURBED Synonyms: 159 Similar and Opposite Words

perturbed 1 of 2

adjective

pər-ˈtərbd

Definition of perturbed

as in worried

feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty a perturbed look betrayed her nervousness at her first job interview

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

perturbed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of perturb

as in disturbed

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy the caller's strange remark perturbed me enough to keep me awake that night

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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 perturbed

Verb

Not only does Mehta deliver a stunning debut performance, as a young girl perturbed by the world and her place within it, but the film’s sinister, shadowy tone makes even natural spaces feel imposing. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 These objects are thought to have wandered in from the Kuiper Belt beyond Pluto, their paths perhaps perturbed by distant gravitational interactions with the gas giant planets, or even a nudge from a passing star. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Some purists, who seemed content to classify what was essentially rock music from men as country but not Morris’s interpretation of the genre, were perturbed. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026 Vitello, three hours removed from being ejected for the second time in three days, was still perturbed. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2026 Having a motivated and slightly perturbed Baker Mayfield won’t hurt. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Some people seemed perturbed to discover that Cheekface sound like, well, Cheekface. — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026 And Hinch was jeered again after Jones struck out, bookending the booing and showing Tigers fans are perturbed over the team’s downfall. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026 Lobo appeared perturbed that the shop’s owner brought the claim to the Clark County District Attorney instead of filing a civil suit. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perturbed

Adjective

Many were worried that this would lead to productivity losses.

— Volen Vulkov, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
On Monday morning, a relative of Cantrell who was worried that the baby might be Cantrell’s called police.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of worried

Verb

An officer responded to PSA, and police said about two pallets of cards were stolen from the truck and a third was disturbed.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
As one of the most effective natural sinks for carbon, peatlands could accelerate climate change if disturbed.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturbed

Verb

The new company has nearly $80 billion in debt, with leverage of six-and-a-half times trailing earnings, a ratio that has alarmed investors and triggered credit rating downgrades.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Abiy’s persistent calls for sovereign access to Eritrea’s Red Sea port of Assab have alarmed Eritrea and deepened the rift.

— KHALED KAZZIHA, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of alarmed

Adjective

Since the incident, the flamingo has been doing all right physically but is more anxious and nervous when being evaluated, said Peachy’s veterinarian, Tiffany Moore, medical director of Lone Mountain Animal Hospital.

— Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
As the military-style helicopter hovered above them, attendees from the rural, predominantly Latino community, began to get nervous.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of nervous

Adjective

The director general was attempting to lift the gloom after being beset with questions from anxious employees about job losses, service reductions, and general retrenchment.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2026
An anxious child Apart from her scribbled notes, scant details are available about Runa’s experience in detention, according to her lawyer Yoshihiro Mukai.

— Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of anxious

Verb

Take accountability for the times you yourself have been distracted (for whatever reason) and haven’t met the other’s needs.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Know when to ask for another ball and try your best not to be distracted by a nice rack.

— Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of distracted

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perturbation

perturbed

perturbing

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Style

“Perturbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perturbed. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of perturbed

adjective

verb

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