Meaning & use

disturbing

adjective·Everyday

Causing feelings of anxiety, distress, or unease.

See it in a sentence

The documentary included disturbing footage of the factory's working conditions.

Neighbors reported a disturbing amount of noise coming from the abandoned house.

A note on using this word

Stronger than 'upsetting'; often used for content, images, or news that leaves a lasting unease.

Words with a similar meaning

unsettlingtroubling

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

comfortingreassuring

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