Unsettling: meaning, definitions and examples

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unsettling

 

[ ˌʌnˈsɛt.lɪŋ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling or causing anxiety

Causing unease or discomfort; disturbing.

Synonyms

disquieting, disturbing, troubling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unsettling

Repeated use in the list - see above.

disturbing

When something is deeply troubling or causes emotional discomfort; has a stronger and more negative connotation.

  • The graphic images in the documentary were disturbing.
  • She had disturbing nightmares after watching the horror movie.
troubling

When something causes concern or worry; often used when the situation is ongoing or persistent.

  • The rising unemployment rates are troubling for the economy.
  • He found the lack of communication from his friend troubling.
disquieting

When something makes you feel anxious or worried, often about something that is happening or might happen.

  • There was a disquieting news report about the increase in crime rates.
  • His sudden disappearance was disquieting for his family.

Examples of usage

  • It was an unsettling experience to be alone in the dark forest.
  • The unsettling news made everyone feel uneasy.
  • The unsettling noise coming from the attic kept me awake all night.
Context #2 | Adjective

not able to be settled or resolved

Not able to be resolved or put to rest.

Synonyms

unresolved, unresolved, unsettled.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unsettling

This word is redundant in the given list, as it is already described above.

unresolved

This term applies when referring to problems, issues, or conflicts that have not been settled or brought to a conclusion. It's often used in discussions about disputes, mysteries, or questions that remain open.

  • The case remains unresolved despite years of investigation.
  • Their argument left several important issues unresolved.
unsettled

This word can describe a state of being in which someone feels anxious, restless, or worried. It can also refer to a situation that is not stable or finalized.

  • After receiving the alarming news, he felt very unsettled.
  • The company's financial status is still unsettled, causing concern among investors.

Examples of usage

  • The unsettling issue between the two countries led to ongoing conflict.
  • The unsettling feeling of uncertainty lingered in the air.

Translations

Translations of the word "unsettling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 perturbador

🇮🇳 अशांत करने वाला

🇩🇪 beunruhigend

🇮🇩 mengganggu

🇺🇦 тривожний

🇵🇱 niepokojący

🇯🇵 不安にさせる

🇫🇷 dérangeant

🇪🇸 inquietante

🇹🇷 rahatsız edici

🇰🇷 불안하게 하는

🇸🇦 مزعج

🇨🇿 znepokojující

🇸🇰 znepokojujúci

🇨🇳 令人不安的

🇸🇮 vznemirjajoč

🇮🇸 óþægilegur

🇰🇿 мазасыздандыратын

🇬🇪 შემაშფოთებელი

🇦🇿 narahat edən

🇲🇽 inquietante

Etymology

The word 'unsettling' originated from the verb 'unsettle' which dates back to the 16th century. The prefix 'un-' indicates negation or reversal, while 'settle' refers to establishing something firmly. Over time, 'unsettling' has evolved to describe situations or feelings that cause discomfort or cannot be resolved. It is commonly used in various contexts to convey a sense of unease or disturbance.

See also: resettle, resettlement, settled, settlement, settler, settlers, unsettle, unsettled.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,338, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.