disturbing

1 of 2

adjective

dis·​turb·​ing di-ˈstər-biŋ How to pronounce disturbing (audio)
Synonyms of disturbingnext
: causing feelings of worry, concern, or anxiety
disturbing news
a disturbing discovery
The next phase in which I had a part was even more disturbing, and infinitely more painful.—Bram Stoker
disturbingly
di-ˈstər-biŋ-lē How to pronounce disturbing (audio)
adverb
disturbingly high levels of pollution
a disturbingly familiar problem
… the texture of ordinary life and talk has taken on a disturbingly ambiguous quality … —Jonathan Raban

disturbing

2 of 2

present participle of disturb

Synonyms of disturbing

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Adjective

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Examples of disturbing in a Sentence

Adjective a disturbing visit by the next-door neighbor while I was trying to study there was a disturbing silence as I struggled to remember her name a disturbing trend in the nation's energy consumption a disturbing pause in the normally smooth operation of the machinery
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Last awards season, the gossip around town, salacious and disturbing in equal measure, was that hotel suites all over Hollywood were populated by tailors taking in gowns coming straight off the runway. — Marti Noxon, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 The disturbing situation came to light after a tree fell on the home during a storm. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026 This disturbing video follows Barron’s alleged link to Andrew and Tristan Tate’s criminal case. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 24 Aug. 2026 But seabirds are also among the best signs that this ecosystem is vulnerable, with plastic pollution a particularly disturbing threat. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disturbing

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disturbing was in 1594

Phrases Containing disturbing

Rhymes for disturbing

See All Rhymes for disturbing

Browse Nearby Words

disturber
disturbing
disturbingly
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Cite this Entry

“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disturbing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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