Skip to main content

unsettling — causing anxiety or uneasiness; disturbing

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: causing anxiety or uneasiness; disturbing

Pronunciation (IPA): /ʌnˈsetəlɪŋ/

Example Sentences

  • The empty playground at midnight had an unsettling vibe that made me hurry home.
  • My cat's habit of staring at empty corners is quite unsettling - what does she see that I don't?
  • The politician's unsettling smile during the debate made voters question his sincerity.

unsettling

ADJECTIVE

[/ʌnˈsetəlɪŋ/]

causing anxiety or uneasiness; disturbing

causing anxiety or uneasiness; disturbing
💡 Concept

causing anxiety or uneasiness; disturbing

Just when I'm settling in, your meddling feels unsettling!
🎵 Rhyme

Just when I'm settling in, your meddling feels unsettling!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ʌnˈsetəlɪŋ/
🇬🇧 UK/ʌnˈsetəlɪŋ/

🌳Etymology

Prefixun--
Rootsettle
Suffix--ing

Origin

The word derives from Old English 'setl' (seat, settlement) and 'settlan' (to place, establish), which evolved into Middle English 'settle' meaning 'to establish' or 'to make stable.' The prefix 'un-' (not) and suffix '-ing' were added to create the present participle form expressing the opposite action.

Breakdown

un- (not) + settle (to establish, make stable, from Old English settlan) + -ing (present participle/adjective-forming suffix).

🎵Rhyme

settling
nettling
meddling

🔗Collocations

unsettling news
unsettling feeling
unsettling atmosphere
deeply unsettling
unsettling experience
unsettling silence

📝Examples

“The empty playground at midnight had an unsettling vibe that made me hurry home.”

😄 Fun example

“My cat's habit of staring at empty corners is quite unsettling - what does she see that I don't?”

“The politician's unsettling smile during the debate made voters question his sincerity.”

😄 Fun example

“It's unsettling how my GPS always knows exactly when I'm running late for work.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.