unsettled

[ uhn-set-ld ]
See synonyms for unsettled on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. not settled; not fixed or stable; without established order; unorganized; disorganized: an unsettled social order; still unsettled in their new home.

  2. continuously moving or changing; not situated in one place: an unsettled life.

  1. wavering or uncertain, as in opinions or behavior; unstable; erratic: an unsettled state of mind.

  2. not populated or settled, as a region: an unsettled wilderness.

  3. undetermined, as a point at issue; undecided; doubtful: After many years the matter was still unsettled.

  4. not adjusted, closed, or disposed of, as an account, estate, or law case.

  5. liable to change; inconstant; variable: unsettled weather.

Origin of unsettled

1
First recorded in 1585–95; un-1 + settle1 + -ed2

synonym study For unsettled

3. Unsettled, unstable, unsteady imply a lack of fixity, firmness, and dependability. That which is unsettled is not fixed or determined: unsettled weather; unsettled claims. That which is unstable is wavering, changeable; easily moved, shaken, or overthrown: unstable equilibrium; an unstable decision. That which is unsteady is infirm or shaky in position or movement: unsteady on one's feet; unsteady of purpose.

Other words for unsettled

Opposites for unsettled

Other words from unsettled

  • un·set·tled·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use unsettled in a sentence

  • But the repose he sought he scarce for an hour realized.-36- Undreamed-of turmoil kept him in a whirl of unsettledness.

    Literary New York | Charles Hemstreet
  • It is, however, an unsettledness very unlike that of the earlier time.

    Change in the Village | (AKA George Bourne) George Sturt
  • In the language of the clergy of the time, she "had a degree of unsettledness and defect of understanding."

  • It would have been dismal to add idleness and unsettledness to the discouragement caused by such a beginning of our voyage.

  • To this the humane liberal retorts: The unsettledness of many is only your product, Philistine!

    The Ego and His Own | Max Stirner

British Dictionary definitions for unsettled

unsettled

/ (ʌnˈsɛtəld) /


adjective
  1. lacking order or stability: an unsettled era

  2. unpredictable; uncertain: an unsettled climate

  1. constantly changing or moving from place to place: an unsettled life

  2. (of controversy, etc) not brought to an agreed conclusion

  3. (of debts, law cases, etc) not disposed of

  4. (of regions, etc) devoid of settlers

Derived forms of unsettled

  • unsettledness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012