unsettled

[ uhn-set-ld ]

adjective

1. not settled; not fixed or stable; without established order; unorganized; disorganized:

   an unsettled social order; still unsettled in their new home.

   Antonyms: stable

2. continuously moving or changing; not situated in one place:

   an unsettled life.

3. wavering or uncertain, as in opinions or behavior; unstable; erratic:

   an unsettled state of mind.

   Antonyms: stable

4. not populated or settled, as a region:

   an unsettled wilderness.

5. undetermined, as a point at issue; undecided; doubtful:

   After many years the matter was still unsettled.

   Synonyms: unsure, indeterminate

6. not adjusted, closed, or disposed of, as an account, estate, or law case.
7. liable to change; inconstant; variable:

   unsettled weather.

   Synonyms: irresolute, fickle, vacillating

unsettled

/ ʌnˈsɛtəld /

adjective

1. lacking order or stability

   an unsettled era

2. unpredictable; uncertain

   an unsettled climate

3. constantly changing or moving from place to place

   an unsettled life

4. (of controversy, etc) not brought to an agreed conclusion
5. (of debts, law cases, etc) not disposed of
6. (of regions, etc) devoid of settlers

Derived Forms

• unˈsettledness, noun

Other Words From

• un·settled·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unsettled¹

First recorded in 1585–95; un- ¹ + settle ¹ + -ed ²

Synonym Study

Unsettled, unstable, unsteady imply a lack of fixity, firmness, and dependability. That which is unsettled is not fixed or determined: unsettled weather; unsettled claims. That which is unstable is wavering, changeable; easily moved, shaken, or overthrown: unstable equilibrium; an unstable decision. That which is unsteady is infirm or shaky in position or movement: unsteady on one's feet; unsteady of purpose.

Example Sentences

At his grandmother’s house, Mr Thomas seemed unsettled, the court was told.

From BBC

With Venice and Telluride over and the Toronto Film Festival wrapping, Times columnist Glenn Whipp looks at an Oscar season that seems delightfully unsettled.

From Los Angeles Times

This has unsettled their understanding of what it means to be a man.

From Salon

To the litany of starting pitching absences that left their October rotation unsettled.

From Los Angeles Times

The only playoff berths unsettled heading into Decision Day are the final two spots in the Eastern Conference, currently occupied by D.C.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agitated
• changeable
• changing
• complicated
• confused
• disturbed
• insecure
• perilous
• perturbed
• precarious
• rattled
• restless
• shaky
• shifting
• tense
• ticklish
• troubled
• uncertain
• uneasy
• unnerved

More About Unsettled

What does unsettled mean?

Something that is unsettled is not stable or is unorganized, as in While the contractor works on the kitchen, all of our kitchen things are unsettled.

Unsettled is most often used figuratively to mean undecided, unadjusted, or wavering. Someone who is unsettled is normally disturbed by some type of imagery or by a decision they have made. They may be unable to focus or have a lot of different emotions—they feel unsettled.

Literally, something that is unsettled is off balance, moving constantly, or unstable. A building slowly sliding down a hill is an example of a structure that has become unsettled. Unsettled can apply to anything that moves, such as animals, vehicles, or even rainclouds. When you say movement is unsettled, you’re saying the movement is erratic.

Unsettled land is land where no one or very few people live. 

Example: That scary movie made me so unsettled that I couldn’t sleep for a week.

Where does unsettled come from?

The first records of the term unsettled come from the 1580s. It combines the prefix un– meaning “not,” the English word settle, meaning “to appoint or fix,” and the suffix –ed, which creates adjectives out of verbs.

You might hear someone described as unsettled to mean they have no stable home or base. The term unsettled is sometimes used to describe refugees or migrants from warring nations who are forced to leave their homes. The 2019 movie Unsettled: Seeking Refuge in America is an example of this usage. The film deals with several LGBTQ+ refugees fleeing their home nations to live in a more accepting United States.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to unsettled?

• unsettledness (noun)

What are some synonyms for unsettled?

• agitated
• disturbed
• clouded
• unclear
• unresolved

What are some words that share a root or word element with unsettled? 

• settle
• unsettling
• unsettlement

What are some words that often get used in discussing unsettled?

• balance
• fall
• moving
• wavering

How is unsettled used in real life?

Unsettled is most often used to describe how a person feels about something.

I get remarkable unsettled when people (: instead of :).

— Hank Green (@hankgreen) November 23, 2020

Anyone else feeling super duper unsettled these days because you're trying to make various big life decisions because you kind of have to but it feels impossible to plan anything at all?

— Ilana Masad (@ilanaslightly) October 5, 2020

October 1st. Not quite t-shirt weather. Not quite knitwear weather. A deeply unsettled nation walks around in their big coat and flip flops.

— innocent drinks (@innocent) October 1, 2015

 

Try using unsettled!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for unsettled?

A. uneasy
B. uncertain
C. calm
D. restless