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.

This is a fitting characterization of any of these terse, disturbing novels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Expect a dark, deep and vaguely disturbing ride.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

The best-case scenario is, in a way, just as disturbing.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

High-energy radiation, such as X-rays, can harm living cells by disturbing atoms and molecules.

From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026

To avoid disturbing him, they tried to maintain quiet and to limit the number of people in the room to two or three.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow