# unsettling

/ənˈsɛtəɫɪŋ/ (US) · /ʌnsˈɛtlɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unsettling
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'find', 'feel', or 'seem'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.