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Showing results for unnerving. Search instead for unnervin.
Definitions

unnerving

[uhn-nur-ving] / ʌnˈnɜr vɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
appalling
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alarming astounding awful dire disheartening dreadful frightening frightful ghastly harrowing hideous horrible horrific shocking terrible terrifying
STRONG
bad daunting dismaying gross heavy intimidating mean petrifying scaring
WEAK
fearful formidable grim grody horrid the end
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calming comforting delightful good nice pleasant pleasing wonderful
STRONG
polite
WEAK
encouraging reassuring satisfying
ADJECTIVE
disquieting
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annoying bothersome disconcerting distressing disturbing perplexing troubling unsettling vexing worrying
STRONG
irritating perturbing
WEAK
troublesome
Antonyms
WEAK
calming pleasing settling soothing
ADJECTIVE
frightful/frightening
Synonyms
WEAK
alarming appalling atrocious awesome awful chilling daunting dire direful dismaying disquieting dread dreadful fearful fearsome formidable ghastly grabber grim grisly gruesome hair-raising hairy harrowing hideous horrendous horrible horrid horrifying inconceivable intimidating lurid macabre menacing morbid ominous petrifying portentous repellent spooky terrible terrifying traumatic unspeakable
Antonyms
WEAK
calming comforting pleasing
ADJECTIVE
nightmarish
Synonyms
STRONGEST
awful chilling disquieting dreadful eerie ghastly grim grisly hair-raising hellish horrible horrid horrifying macabre scary spooky terrible terrifying traumatic
WEAK
alarming creepy dire direful fearful fearsome ghoulish morbid ominous petrifying
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calming good nice normal pleasant pleasing soothing wonderful
ADJECTIVE
scary
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alarming chilling creepy eerie hairy horrifying intimidating shocking spooky
WEAK
bloodcurdling hair-raising horrendous spine-chilling
Antonyms
STRONGEST
normal
WEAK
calming encouraging soothing
ADJECTIVE
terrible
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abhorrent appalling atrocious awesome awful dangerous dire disastrous disturbing dreadful frightful ghastly gruesome harrowing hideous horrendous horrid horrifying serious severe shocking unfortunate unpleasant
WEAK
awe-inspiring beastly desperate dread dreaded fearful hateful inconvenient loathsome monstrous obnoxious odious offensive petrifying poor repulsive revolting rotten unwelcome vile
Antonyms
STRONGEST
beautiful calming comforting delightful fortunate good happy inoffensive lucky mild nice pleasant pleasing trivial unimportant wonderful
WEAK
great
ADJECTIVE
worrisome
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alarming bothersome disquieting disturbing upsetting vexing worrying
WEAK
agonizing annoying anxious apprehensive burdensome inconvenient irksome irritating nervous taxing tiresome trying uneasy wearisome

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.

"It's unnerving," Joy Coker, a mother of three in the area, said of the warehouse's location.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

The discrepancy makes for a uniquely unnerving experience, especially in a theater with a decent sound system, where every unexpected thud can feel like it’s creeping in closer and closer.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

What follows in Polish filmmaker Jan Komasa’s blackly comic, unnerving thriller is clearly meant to evoke “Heel’s” more obedience-minded reading.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

For assets that many investors treat as protection, the speed and scale of the wipeout in gold and silver on Friday was unnerving.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 30, 2026

The bed has a floral spread, and there are unnerving paintings of bunnies on the walls.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti