disquiet 1 of 2

1
2

disquiet

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disquiet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disquiet are agitate, discompose, disturb, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

In what contexts can agitate take the place of disquiet?

While the synonyms agitate and disquiet are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When might discompose be a better fit than disquiet?

Although the words discompose and disquiet have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When is disturb a more appropriate choice than disquiet?

The words disturb and disquiet can be used in similar contexts, but disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Where would fluster be a reasonable alternative to disquiet?

The meanings of fluster and disquiet largely overlap; however, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When could perturb be used to replace disquiet?

The synonyms perturb and disquiet are sometimes interchangeable, but perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When can upset be used instead of disquiet?

The words upset and disquiet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of disquiet
Noun
Lewi said the shows are tied together by themes of disquiet. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025 For their part, workers who can't seem to quiet their own disquiet can incorporate self-care practices into their daily personal and professional routines. Jeffrey Marcus, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
David also was disquieted by his brother’s familiarity with the places that had been targeted by the Unabomber. Steve Chawkins, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2023 His Blackness disquieted the American ideals and sensibilities that proclaim us all equal. Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 26 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for disquiet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet
Noun
  • Especially given the turmoil with the other edge rushers, eyes are focused on seeing if Murphy looks like the same underachiever from the first two years or a blossoming athletic specimen.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 8 July 2025
  • The turmoil points to a clash on competing visions over how to run the economy.
    Brit Morse, Fortune, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • Privacy and security concerns with smart thermostats These programs also raise important data privacy concerns.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
  • The report found that concerns were often handled informally without adequate record-keeping, and that freelance staff felt reluctant to complain due to job insecurity.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • In an interview with an internal affairs investigator, Pascua said she wasn’t alarmed by Elisa’s fall.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • Those of us frustrated or alarmed about the scope of the Trump administration’s immigration raids must unequivocally condemn violence against government workers and law enforcement.
    Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Park’s father was among those armed shopkeepers during the unrest.
    Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 9 July 2025
  • Gunn acknowledged that the movie’s themes may be interpreted differently across political groups, especially considering the current nationwide unrest around immigration.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • Humanitarian workers—many idealistic and committed—fear that sounding the alarm will end operations altogether.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
  • And without Stalter’s talent for masking Jess’ fears through recklessness — while still lining that recklessness with genuine excitement for the unknown — the series and its central character would be little more than two parts of the same mess.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • But there’s nothing, only silence, which worries me as much as the scream.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 7 July 2025
  • Democrats and Republicans are working together on three bills to protect children from inappropriate material and data mining on the internet, and that worries Marilyn Rodriguez.
    Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • However, there is unease in the market about supply exceeding demand from 2027 onward, and a potential glut that could persist to the end of the decade dragging prices lower.
    Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
  • There is a certain unease that settles over a place when a familiar landmark begins to dissolve.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • Your husband’s anxiety just makes her puppet strings easier to pull.
    Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 5 July 2025
  • But Democratic pollster John Zogby said many of the wins came at the sacrifice of some and that anxiety in America is higher than ever.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 5 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on disquiet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!