Disturbingly: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when describing something that causes worry or fear because it is very unusual or unpleasant.

• The room was disturbingly silent after the announcement
• The data revealed disturbingly high levels of pollution

Describes something that makes you feel anxious or uneasy, often because it is unpredictable or unfamiliar.

• The eerie silence in the forest was unsettling
• Her sudden change in behavior was quite unsettling

Used when referring to something that causes concern or unease, but not necessarily fear or shock.

• The increasing number of dropouts is troubling for educators
• It was troubling to hear about the layoffs at the company

Appropriate for situations where something causes a sudden fear or a sense of urgency because it suggests danger or a serious problem.

• The rise in cyber attacks is alarming
• The decline in bee populations is alarming for scientists