Word
unsettling
Phoneticsun·set·tling
US/ənˈsɛtəɫɪŋ/
UK/ʌnsˈɛtlɪŋ/
Definition
adj. making you feel worried, nervous, or slightly uncomfortable. You use this to describe something that feels wrong or strange in a way that bothers you.
adj. causing anxiety, unease, or a loss of composure. Often used to describe atmospheres, events, or realisations that disturb one's sense of security or normalcy.
Examples
“The empty house had an unsettling silence.”
“She found the stranger's intense, unblinking stare deeply unsettling during the long train ride.”
“The documentary presents an unsettling look at how quickly misinformation can destabilise a community, leaving the viewer with a lingering sense of vulnerability regarding their own digital habits.”
Examples
simple
“The empty house had an unsettling silence.”
contextual
“She found the stranger's intense, unblinking stare deeply unsettling during the long train ride.”
complex
“The documentary presents an unsettling look at how quickly misinformation can destabilise a community, leaving the viewer with a lingering sense of vulnerability regarding their own digital habits.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'find', 'feel', or 'seem'.
Real-World Examples
“German Mercedes outran French Peugeots, an unsettling portent that few spectators paused to interpret.” “Scottish photographer Wendy McMurdo ’s show at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery is quietly unsettling.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/unsettling