Synonyms

disturbing

American

[dih-stur-bing] / dɪˈstɜr bɪŋ /

adjective

upsetting or disquieting; dismaying.

a disturbing increase in the crime rate.

Other Word Forms

disturbingly adverb
nondisturbing adjective
undisturbing adjective
undisturbingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of disturbing

First recorded in 1585–95; disturb + -ing ²

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.

The former broker said ants could also be harvested by gently disturbing the mound and collecting them as they tried to escape.

From BBC

Leonard said ringed plovers were among the island's "schedule one protected species", meaning disturbing them at the nest is an offence under the island's Wildlife Act.

From BBC

While the BOJ has said it is committed to continuing on its path of gradual monetary tightening, the timing is delicate as policymakers want to be careful to avoid disturbing wage-growth momentum.

From The Wall Street Journal

While much of “Fatherland” feels underdeveloped, it is to Ms. Shorr’s credit that she has let Martin remain a disturbing enigma.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It’s disturbing, because these people are human,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023