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
The project follows a husband and wife who buy their dream ranch only to discover the land is alive with ancient spirits, and survival means submitting to increasingly disturbing rituals with each turn of the season. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 You might be surprised by just how disturbing The Texas Chain Saw Massacre remains more than 50 years later. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026 Although not quite as polished on the racial politics front, Lanterns’s third episode is no less intriguing, as an hour of television dedicated not only to answering pressing questions but fleshing out its lead character in disturbing ways. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026 In place of analysis, The Surrealist Menagerie provides a panoply of alternately delightful and disturbing creatures, generating unexpected pairings through its focus on the animal. — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 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

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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 4 Sep. 2026.

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