UNSETTLE Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

unsettle

verb

ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl

Definition of unsettle

as in to disturb

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy the news that the local grocery store had sold contaminated produce unsettled many shoppers

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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 unsettle Showers may linger into Friday, while the weekend currently trends cooler and unsettled, with additional shower chances if the front stalls out nearby. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Higher oil prices could reignite inflation concerns, the midterm elections could unsettle investors and weak economic reports could produce sharp swings. — Andrew Graham, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 In reality, the situation in Indiana is completely unsettled, and White was reminded of that on Tuesday night when some fans booed her during pregame introductions ahead of the Fever's home contest against the New York Liberty. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The barrage has caused fuel shortages in Russia, eaten into Russian refining capacity, and unsettled the Russian public. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsettle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettle

Verb

That’s because excess inflammation can impact your central nervous system, which can disturb sleep.

— Alice Oglethorpe, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2026
The bay contains bioluminescent plankton that creates a blue-green glow in the water when disturbed.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

Nothing will keep you from sleeping or distract you from studying like itchy bug bites or the constant sneezing and drippy nose of seasonal allergies.

— Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
The long seven-month offseason has been filled with congressional legislation, eligibility lawsuits, CFP expansion and plenty of other storylines that have distracted from the product on the field.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of distract

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

Definition of alarm

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

Definition of worry

Verb

Through an open records request, the Star-Telegram obtained copies of text messages and emails concerning discussions between the two cities about the data center development.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026
Akiyama wrote numerous books concerning both his spaceflight and his experiences as a farmer and being displaced from the Fukushima Prefecture.

— Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of concern

Verb

After many decades of organizing, speaking, writing, agitating — and weathering the constant controversy that courted — Steinem kept going.

— Adam Carlson, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
Continue to cook, agitating eggs and occasionally shaking pan and running spatula underneath to ensure eggs aren’t sticking, until surface of eggs looks somewhat set but still slightly shiny, about 30 seconds more.

— Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of agitate

Browse Nearby Words

unserviceable

unsettle

unsettled

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“Unsettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsettle. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unsettle

verb

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