disturbing

adjective

dis·​turb·​ing di-ˈstər-biŋ How to pronounce disturbing (audio)
: 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 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

Examples of disturbing in a Sentence

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.
The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices is disturbing. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2025 These findings should be deeply disturbing to Western policymakers, for at least two reasons. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025 The disturbing part is not that Trump would have a way to politicize the Fed, but that any president would — as many have wanted and tried. Erik Sherman, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 In May and September of last year, Matthew shared some disturbing graphic poetry as well as strange abstract artwork on his Facebook profile. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disturbing

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disturbing was in 1594

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Cite this Entry

“Disturbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disturbing. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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