unnerving

[uhn-nur-ving]

adjective

1. depriving a person of courage, strength, determination, or confidence; disconcerting.

   There's nothing easy about job hunting, but if asked to pinpoint the most unnerving part of the process, many would say it's interviewing.

Other Word Forms

• unnervingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unnerving¹

unnerv(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

With its slow pacing, shaky handheld cameras, dishwater cinematography and unnervingly extreme closeups, it feels more like an intense indie drama than a whimsical tale of a robber with a peculiar M.O.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

It’s one of those characterizations that is sympathetic, repellent and consistently unnerving.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

"It's really unnerving being here and obviously I'm not sure who is around me. I'm worried about my bag, I'm worried about my phone," she said.

Read more on BBC

She also notes that AI messages can be emotionally sterile and make communication feel scripted, which can be unnerving to receive.

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Several unnerving things are happening at once, including the presence of a silhouetted stalker, old bones that give the dog nightmares and Todd’s unpredictable mood swings.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abhorrent 
• appalling 
• atrocious 
• awesome 
• awful 
• dangerous 
• dire 
• disastrous 
• disturbing 
• dreadful 
• frightful 
• ghastly 
• gruesome 
• harrowing 
• hideous 
• horrendous 
• horrid 
• horrifying 
• serious 
• severe