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

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

To understand how unnerving it is out there for cyclists, I might suggest you saddle up and pedal in a gutter bike lane during rush hour.

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

Although Rita is desperate to keep him close, the bombardment is a constant and unnerving threat to everyone.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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