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 Words From

• un·nerv·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unnerving¹

unnerv(e) ( def ) + -ing ²( def )

Example Sentences

Seeing how easily Elphaba’s good nature is twisted to fit the agenda of those who seek uniformity and total control is unnervingly parallel to the racist rhetoric so often parroted by conservative mouthpieces.

From Salon

The episodes unfold with the thrilling speed and sense of unnerving propulsion, but there’s also space for the audience to better understand what drives the assassin and the spy who’s looking for him.

From Los Angeles Times

“Madame President” would be a new thing for America and it’s reasonable to assume that while many voters love the idea, some find the novelty a little unnerving.

From BBC

It's unnerving when she slams her hands against a table and storms out.

From Salon

It was unnerving to receive a flood of notices; the Instagram video was viewed hundred, thousands, then millions of times.

From Salon

Related Words

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