Definitions

disturbing

[dih-stur-bing] / dɪˈstɜr bɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

disquieting

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alarming annoying bothersome creepy depressing disconcerting discouraging distressing embarrassing frightening irritating ominous painful perplexing sinister startling threatening troublesome troubling unpleasant unsettling upsetting vexing worrisome worrying

STRONG

aggravating agitating discommoding discomposing dismaying foreboding harassing impeding perturbing provoking trying

WEAK

burdensome consequential difficult disagreeable discomforting gloomy hard inconvenient irksome laborious onerous pessimistic prophetic severe tiresome toilsome uncertain wearisome

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable auspicious comforting delightful easy encouraging good happy helpful nice pleasant pleasing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"General relativity is stabilizing systems in some ways and disturbing them in other ways."

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

Around 2:45 a.m. there was more disturbing news.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Online shoppers chasing a bargain are at risk of buying fakes, with disturbing cases including perfume contaminated with horse urine.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

The result is an often exhilarating, often disturbing and always poignant tale of an artist and adventurer who lived to challenge the limits of what humans could do.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

But he vaults from the couch to block my path, disturbing the cushions and sending throw pillows to the floor.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day

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