unsettled 1 of 2

adjective

ˌən-ˈse-tᵊld How to pronounce unsettled (audio)
Definition of unsettlednext
1
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly we've been having a lot of unsettled weather lately

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2
as in unpaid
not yet paid I keep unsettled bills next to the checkbook

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pending
not yet settled or decided we can't move on as long as this important question remains unsettled

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something I'm still unsettled about whether I should take that job

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

unsettled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of unsettle
as in disturbed
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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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 unsettled
Adjective
Wednesday should remain mostly sunny overall, with a high near 86 degrees followed by unsettled weather Thursday. — The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 23 Aug. 2026 How to value data centers in Cook County remains unsettled, and local governments sometimes disagree with the assessor. — Alex Nitkin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
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 When that purpose is still unsettled, the chart rests on assumptions. — David Grossman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsettled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsettled
  1. volatile
  2. unpaid
  3. pending
  4. unsure
  5. disturbed
  6. unpredictable
  7. outstanding
  8. unresolved
Adjective
  • Dado Ruvic | Reuters Bitcoin headed for its third straight winning week, as traders searched for refuge amid volatile moves in equities, currencies and bond markets.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
  • That meant trade reporting on the tape often ran late, sometimes hours late during a volatile market or big sell-off.
    — Brian Lund, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of volatile
Adjective
  • This led to his termination, unpaid bonuses and post-employment blacklisting, Nallasivan claimed.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Over the next several years, the hospitals received more than $24 million in state grants while racking up debts of roughly $100 million in state loans and unpaid taxes.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of unpaid
Adjective
  • That matters for OpenAI because Texas is central to Stargate, with its flagship site in Abilene, and additional pending projects in the state.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Court records indicate the bankruptcy proceedings remain pending.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of pending
Adjective
  • Margarita, who studied jewelry design, is unsure whether Princess Margaret would have been a fan of her jewelry preferences.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
  • For the first ten minutes, the audience seems a little unsure where any of this is going — something Lyons is self-aware enough to address.
    — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsure
Verb
  • As a parent who has purchased my share of scary Halloween costumes, I was particularly disturbed by the controversy now engulfing Target.
    — Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2026
  • If disturbed, asbestos’ microscopic crystalline fibers get into the air, where they can be inhaled, cause lung scarring and lead to fatal cancers.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturbed
Adjective
  • The bond market is unpredictable, and falling rates doesn’t always necessarily mean that buying a home will become more affordable.
    — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • This means its long-lasting effects are unpredictable, according to Harder.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of unpredictable
Adjective
  • Why Specialization Still Matters Many excellent residential management companies provide outstanding service to apartment owners.
    — David Crown, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Two players — quarterback Ryan Rakowski and safety Jalen Flowers — have been outstanding in delivering big plays.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • The days spent with the other witnesses as well as the encounters and testimonies shed light on events that had remained unresolved for decades.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Pending lawsuits, tax liens, judgments or other unresolved legal or financial issues.
    — Carson Brunson, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of unresolved

Browse Nearby Words

unsettle
unsettled
unsettledness
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Cite this Entry

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

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