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 One concern is parents of autistic children, who often have gastrointestinal issues, though the science linking those issues to autism is unsettled. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026 Not least because Liverpool never received an official approach from Bayern and, if Ngumoha was feeling remotely unsettled, then that hadn’t been articulated to the club. — James Pearce, New York Times, 26 June 2026 Widespread haze from wildfire smoke in Colorado and Utah will also filter into the region at times, potentially reducing visibility and adding to already unsettled atmospheric conditions. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 July 2026 Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ever-deepening defense alliance with China, India’s principal strategic competitor, has unsettled New Delhi, particularly given that Islamabad deployed Chinese weapons against Indian forces for the first time during the 2025 conflict. — Michael Kugelman, Time, 26 June 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
  • He was particularly disturbed by administration officials' attempts to characterize both as domestic terrorists.
    — Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 1 July 2026
  • The appeal is largely practical, since powders travel well in a bag, don’t leave hands greasy and can be dusted on without disturbing whatever’s already on your skin.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • Now back in King’s Landing, Corlys is distracted at best, meeting with Rhaenyra’s small council to address the crown’s nonexistent funds — the latest on a long list of problems that need solving for the new Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
    — Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • The 5-foot-4 Italian tried not to let the presence of the record eight-time men's singles champion distract her.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
Definition of distract
Verb
  • Playing against such younger competition doesn’t bother Crawford.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • Install Fencing If all deterrents fail and snakes continue to bother you, consider installing a 2- to 3-foot fence around your property.
    — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 6 July 2026
Definition of bother
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
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
Verb
  • Recent polling from Gallup found that Americans are concerned most about housing and energy prices, including gas.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Carter is concerned by a pop-up power plant under construction in the area to serve a data center.
    — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of concern
Verb
  • Diaz appeared to agitate the shoulder on a swing during his fifth-inning at-bat, then grounded out.
    — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026
  • That would be Saba Capital, a hedge fund that’s been agitating for change among CEFs for years.
    — Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Definition of agitate

Browse Nearby Words

unserviceable
unsettle
unsettled
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Cite this Entry

“Unsettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unsettle

Nglish: Translation of unsettle for Spanish Speakers

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