disturb
verb (used with object)
to interrupt the quiet, rest, peace, or order of; unsettle.
was disturbing
-
past progressiveof disturb.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Prof Smith from the University of Portsmouth in the UK, who has studied the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, said the biggest danger linked to the site was disturbing radioactive dust.
From BBC ● Dec. 7, 2025
Various measures of crime peaked in D.C. in 2023, and that was disturbing, because at the time nationally, the crime wave was starting to ebb, and D.C. was still going up.
From Slate ● Aug. 13, 2025
What they told her was disturbing, and casually cruel.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2025
Mr Brooke said MacPhail's planning was "disturbing" and the teenager had been "perfectly able to make rational decisions and understand the consequences" of his actions.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2024
Something was disturbing him about the captive mouse.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
