disturbing

[ dih-stur-bing ]

adjective

1. upsetting or disquieting; dismaying:

   a disturbing increase in the crime rate.

Other Words From

• dis·turbing·ly adverb
• nondis·turbing adjective
• undis·turbing adjective
• undis·turbing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of disturbing¹

First recorded in 1585–95; disturb + -ing ²

Example Sentences

A disturbing notice from the IRS, coded “CP21C,” informed recipients that the agency was offsetting their stimulus payments because of a possible federal debt they owed — from 14 years ago.

From Washington Post

Over the weekend, I saw a disturbing number of people on social media say they only want the Moderna or Pfizer shots, and would reject the J&J vaccine if it was the only option available to them.

From Time

New York Attorney General Letitia James called the incident with the 9-year-old “deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable,” adding that her office was “looking into” the matter.

From Essence.com

The sound design, like the disturbing sound of a blade cutting through flesh, is equally excellent.

From Washington Post

McCarthy’s office told Axios that the comments are “deeply disturbing” and said he “plans to have a conversation with the Congresswoman about them.”

From Washington Post

This is why arguments for little to no federal oversight of education are so disturbing.

From The Daily Beast

It would almost be less disturbing if he was showing some kind of sign he was a homicidal maniac.

From The Daily Beast

But this same Christmas story and message should be unsettling, even disturbing, to those of us who are well off.

From The Daily Beast

You kind of just have to watch it, but be warned you may find it disturbing.

From The Daily Beast

The item on federal prisoners was disturbing in a different way.

From The Daily Beast

Suddenly he shot a disturbing glance at Tressan's face, and the corner of his wild-cat mustachios twitched.

From Project Gutenberg

They clattered through the outlying bazaar without disturbing a soul.

From Project Gutenberg

It becomes impossible to use the combination pedals without disturbing the stops and couplers of the Pedal department.

From Project Gutenberg

What might be of a disturbing nature in the old farmhouse could not, she thought, be as fearsome as the approaching tempest.

From Project Gutenberg

To overcome these three disturbing factors a very ingenious form of balance has been devised.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alarming
• annoying
• bothersome
• creepy
• depressing
• disconcerting
• discouraging
• distressing
• embarrassing
• frightening
• irritating
• ominous
• painful
• perplexing
• sinister
• startling
• threatening
• troublesome
• troubling
• unpleasant