Synonyms

unnerving

American

[uhn-nur-ving] / ʌnˈnɜr vɪŋ /

adjective

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

Etymology

Origin of unnerving

unnerv(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

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.

You also might receive an influx of unnerving targeted advertisements.

From MarketWatch

Complete silences are unnerving to me on a set.

From Los Angeles Times

Critics say the strikes amount to extrajudicial killings and are unnerving U.S. allies who are increasingly wary of sharing intelligence.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rivals sometimes embrace unorthodox approaches, Popple says, conducting hourslong interview sessions that can include questions aimed at unnerving candidates—What was your kindergarten report card like?

From The Wall Street Journal

“Dissociative” is a decent descriptor for Isella’s music, too — disorienting, unnerving, drawing out emotions you might not understand.

From Los Angeles Times

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