as in disturbing
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the unnerving news of yet another murder
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in paralyzing
to deprive of courage or confidence
the riding accident so unnerved me that for a while I was afraid to get back on a horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discouraging
to lessen the courage or confidence of
a figure skater can't afford to be unnerved by an occasional slipup
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerving
Adjective
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Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.—
Steven Levy,
Wired News,
28 Mar. 2025 -
Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium.—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But soon, Salinas found herself under a monthslong investigation, trying to fight off paralyzing depression while processing her grief and caring for her other children.—
Shoshana Walter,
USA TODAY,
11 Dec. 2024
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Yoon had tried to justify his decree with accusations that lawmakers were paralyzing his government, sympathizing with North Korea and refusing to pass his budget.—
Max Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Indoor humidity levels are low in winter, and a room humidifier can help plants avoid stress while discouraging pests like spider mites.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Jan. 2025
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The administration's actions are seen as expanding federal control and discouraging state innovation in healthcare programs.—
Steve Brozak,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Inflation, perhaps stiffened by tariffs, and uncertainty over the future of the labor market have left consumers feeling uneasy.—
DeArbea Walker,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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But the Armageddon-level stakes of unrest in the region should make anyone uneasy about mishaps.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And for people who value stability, control or routine, that kind of change can feel deeply unsettling.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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There’s also the strange, silent, cubic villagers with long rectangular noses who are deeply unsettling, not to mention the square pigs.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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On March 15, 2025, the family experienced the tense moments of watching a tornado form nearby but were fortunate enough to escape the worst.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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After three days of tense competition at the Regional Championships, the postseason field narrowed from 36 to 16.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This new era of AI can feel intimidating for the limited, human life forms that created it.—
Marc Zao-Sanders,
Harvard Business Review,
17 Dec. 2024
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Only six years older than Crystal, the comedian still found Scorsese intimidating.—
Lester Fabian Brathwaite,
EW.com,
16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Friday, a government report showed that the U.S. labor market held up better than expected in March despite the federal government’s layoffs, the crackdown on immigrants, and surveys showing that consumers and businesses are increasingly anxious about the economy.—
Josh Fellman,
Quartz,
4 Apr. 2025
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Not that Wendlinger is anxious for her time with the Mustangs to end.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Unnerving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerving. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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