Meaning & use

unsettling

adjective·Academic

Causing a feeling of worry, unease, or disturbance in someone's mind.

See it in a sentence

The strange noise coming from the basement was deeply unsettling.

News of the sudden layoffs was unsettling for the entire office.

A note on using this word

Describes a lingering sense of unease rather than sudden fear; often used for situations, news, or atmospheres.

Words with a similar meaning

disturbingtroubling

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

Words with an opposite meaning

comfortingreassuring

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