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

The star was also in a constant battle with stage fright—a startling admission for a larger-than-life performer with a reputation for spooky, unnerving antics.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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 The Wall Street Journal

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

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"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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Related Words

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