Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

disturbing

[dih-stur-bing]
See more synonyms for disturbing on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. upsetting or disquieting; dismaying: a disturbing increase in the crime rate.
Show More

Origin of disturbing

First recorded in 1585–95; disturb + -ing2
Related formsdis·turb·ing·ly, adverbnon·dis·turb·ing, adjectiveun·dis·turb·ing, adjectiveun·dis·turb·ing·ly, adverb

disturb

[dih-sturb]
verb (used with object)
  1. to interrupt the quiet, rest, peace, or order of; unsettle.
  2. to interfere with; interrupt; hinder: Please do not disturb me when I'm working.
  3. to interfere with the arrangement, order, or harmony of; disarrange: to disturb the papers on her desk.
  4. to perplex; trouble: to be disturbed by strange behavior.
Show More
verb (used without object)
  1. to cause disturbance to someone's sleep, rest, etc.: Do not disturb.
Show More

Origin of disturb

1175–1225; Middle English disto(u)rben, disturben < Anglo-French disto(u)rber, desturber < Latin disturbāre to demolish, upset, equivalent to dis- dis-1 + turbāre to confuse
Related formsdis·turb·er, nounpre·dis·turb, verb (used with object)

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
1. bother, annoy, trouble, pester.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

troublesome, embarrassing, annoying, worrisome, distressing, startling, unsettling, alarming, threatening, discouraging, unpleasant, painful, perplexing, upsetting, depressing, ominous, frightening, irritating, sinister, creepy

Examples from the Web for disturbing

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • She shivered a little; then tossed her head as if to throw off the disturbing thoughts.

    Viviette

    William J. Locke

  • He was storm-tossed in the disturbing element; he could come to no satisfying conclusion.

    Thoroughbreds

    W. A. Fraser

  • But Doctor Eben was in no danger of disturbing Hetty in this way.

  • The sea-dragon cried: “Who is disturbing me here in my own kingdom?”

  • Again, as with my father, I felt that disturbing lack of faith in my work.

    The Harbor

    Ernest Poole

British Dictionary definitions for disturbing

disturbing

adjective
  1. tending to upset or agitate; troubling; worrying
Show More
Derived Formsdisturbingly, adverb

disturb

verb (tr)
  1. to intrude on; interrupt
  2. to destroy or interrupt the quietness or peace of
  3. to disarrange; muddle
  4. (often passive) to upset or agitate; troubleI am disturbed at your bad news
  5. to inconvenience; put outdon't disturb yourself on my account
Show More
Derived Formsdisturber, noun

Word Origin

C13: from Latin disturbāre, from dis- 1 + turbāre to confuse
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

Word Origin and History for disturbing

disturb

v.

c.1300, "to stop or hinder," from Old French destorber (Old North French distourber) and directly from Latin disturbare "throw into disorder," from dis- "completely" (see dis-) + turbare "to disorder, disturb," from turba "turmoil" (see turbid).

Meaning "to frighten" is late 13c.; that of "to stir up, agitate" is c.1300. Related: Disturbed; disturbing; disturbingly. Middle English also had distourbler (n.) "one who disturbs or incites" (late 14c.).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper