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Perturbing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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perturbing

[pərˈtɜːrbɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Causing anxiety or uneasiness; disturbing.

Synonyms

alarming, disturbing, troubling, unsettling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
perturbing

Best used to indicate something that causes frustration, worry, or irritability, often less intense than 'disturbing'.

  • I found his sudden departure quite perturbing
  • The news about the changes in the company regulations is perturbing to the employees
disturbing

Apply when describing something that causes anxiety, displeasure, or fear, often related to shocking or unpleasant content.

  • The documentary showed some disturbing images of war
  • It is disturbing that so many people are losing their jobs
unsettling

Used when something creates a feeling of discomfort or instability, often in a more subtle or creeping fashion.

  • The sinister atmosphere in the old house was quite unsettling
  • His sudden change in behavior is unsettling to everyone who knows him
troubling

Indicated when something causes deep concern or worry, often regarding situations with serious implications.

  • The rise in unemployment is troubling for the economy
  • Her health issues are deeply troubling to her family
alarming

Use in situations where something causes a sense of urgency or immediate concern.

  • The alarming increase in crime rates has residents very worried
  • The rapid spread of the virus is alarming the public

Examples of usage

  • The perturbing news about the pandemic affected everyone's mood.
  • His perturbing behavior made me feel uncomfortable.
  • The perturbing sound of the alarm kept us awake all night.
Context #2 | Adjective

physics

Causing a deviation in a physical system from its normal state or path.

Synonyms

disruptive, disturbing, interfering.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
perturbing

Best suited for situations where something causes anxiety or worry.

  • The disturbing news about the economy is quite perturbing.
  • Her sudden change in behavior is perturbing to everyone who knows her.
disruptive

Used in settings where something interrupts or prevents normal progress or function.

  • The construction work is very disruptive to the neighborhood.
  • His disruptive behavior in class makes it hard for others to focus.
disturbing

Applied when something is emotionally troubling or upsetting.

  • The horror movie had some very disturbing scenes.
  • I found the article about the missing child deeply disturbing.
interfering

Used when someone or something is meddling or obstructing, often with a negative connotation.

  • Stop interfering with my work and let me finish.
  • Her constant interfering in our relationship is starting to cause problems.

Examples of usage

  • The perturbing force altered the trajectory of the spacecraft.
  • The perturbing factor affected the experiment results.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Research shows that disturbing experiences can trigger anxiety and stress responses.
  • The term is often used in therapy to describe feelings that disrupt a person's emotional state.
  • Certain news articles or media can be specially designed to be perturbing, grabbing attention by evoking discomfort.

Literature

  • Many classic horror stories use perturbing elements to create suspense or fear.
  • Authors often use perturbing scenarios to challenge characters' beliefs or morals, leading to growth.
  • The feeling of being disturbed is a common theme in modern novels, reflecting societal anxieties.

Pop Culture

  • Several films use perturbing imagery or plots to captivate audiences, making them feel tense or anxious.
  • Songs in the horror genre often incorporate perturbing lyrics to evoke a strong emotional response.
  • Video games frequently create perturbing scenarios where players must confront fears or unsettling situations.

Science

  • In physics, perturbation theory is a method used to find an approximate solution to a problem that is too complex for an exact solution.
  • Some biological studies explore how perturbing influences in an ecosystem can lead to significant changes in species behaviors.
  • The term is also used in environmental science to describe disturbances that affect ecosystems and biodiversity.

Origin of 'perturbing'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'perturbare', meaning 'to confuse or disturb'.
  • It combines the prefix 'per-' (through) and 'turbare' (to disturb).
  • Used in English since the late 14th century, emphasizing feelings of disorder.

The word 'perturbing' originated from the Latin word 'perturbare', which means 'to throw into confusion'. It first appeared in the English language in the early 17th century. Over time, 'perturbing' has evolved to encompass both emotional and physical disturbances, reflecting its versatile usage in various contexts.

See also: imperturbable, perturb, perturbed, unperturbed.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,806, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.