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.

“We were both relieved we finished the story, but that’s within this really difficult, complicated, disturbing context,” Sheen said in an interview last year.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

The Pakistani prime minister wrote he was "deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting incident."

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

What’s most disturbing is how little people seem to care.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

The trend has disturbing implications not only for U.S.-Israel relations but for the future of American power and ideals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

I climbed my sore body out of bed without disturbing Mama or Merry, and I tiptoed downstairs with a flashlight.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

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