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Definition of disquietnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disquiet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disquiet are agitate, discompose, disturb, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

In what contexts can agitate take the place of disquiet?

While the synonyms agitate and disquiet are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When might discompose be a better fit than disquiet?

Although the words discompose and disquiet have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When is disturb a more appropriate choice than disquiet?

The words disturb and disquiet can be used in similar contexts, but disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Where would fluster be a reasonable alternative to disquiet?

The meanings of fluster and disquiet largely overlap; however, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When could perturb be used to replace disquiet?

The synonyms perturb and disquiet are sometimes interchangeable, but perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When can upset be used instead of disquiet?

The words upset and disquiet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disquiet
Noun
However, Mars enters Cancer on August 11, which could lead to more domestic disquiet than usual, and Venus will run into an opposition with Saturn on August 21, which brings an interpersonal matter to a head. Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026 On May 1, 1775, the day the Quebec Act took effect, the life-size marble statue of George III in Montréal – erected in gratitude for his assistance following a fire – was vandalized, indicating disquiet there about this new order. Sarah M.s. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Verb
The impersonations were disquieting. Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2026 Her images of ice blocks, lush fabrics, cherries, sea animals, and charred hearts are disquieting in the best way and well worth trekking to Santa Monica to witness in person. Emma Specter, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • Syria’s leaders are now positioning the country to benefit from a resurgence of regional turmoil.
    Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Geopolitical turmoil, including war in the Middle East and US ​import tariffs, has brought urgency to an issue Icelanders have debated on and off for decades.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • While more than 100 law enforcement agencies across the country have ended their contracts with Flock Safety in recent weeks over privacy concerns, the company and the state of Georgia are deeply tied to one another.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
  • And as a result, the data centers built to enable this growth have drawn scrutiny from communities and across party lines, including concerns over higher electric bills.
    Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Such military cooperation has alarmed Israel, which is increasingly distrustful of Turkey’s intentions in the region.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • California Forever has increasingly pitched the Solano Shipyard as part of a broader effort to rebuild the US maritime industry, a priority among both Democrats and Republicans alarmed over its decline.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Tibet is a Chinese autonomous region that has gone through cycles of protest, unrest and government repression since China asserted control over the region in 1951.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • What followed was at least one night of unrest in Minneapolis.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • As families wait for news about their relatives, damaged roads, power outages and fears of further flooding have hampered rescue efforts.
    Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The announcement is spurring fears of a fresh wave of Canadian travelers steering clear of the US.
    Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The lack of federal guidance, conflicting messages and potential barriers to immunizations worry public health officials because vaccination rates are already falling, leading to resurgences of dangerous diseases like measles.
    Rob Stein, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Their narrators worry about the corruption of their music scenes by news presenters, magazine writers, major-label scouts, and (for Goetz especially) academics.
    Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Years later, the actress Jenny McCarthy popularized the idea that parental unease about vaccines was being dismissed by the medical establishment.
    Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Bocarsly acknowledged why government collection of Jewish identity data can create unease.
    Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Common side effects include dizziness, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety, headache, insomnia and loss of appetite.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Analysts observe that market anxiety surrounding mega-cap tech companies has escalated markedly in recent weeks.
    , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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