disturbed
12 synonyms and 6 antonyms for disturbed, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Showing signs of mental or emotional trouble.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Showing signs of mental or emotional trouble.
“The film follows a deeply disturbed character.”
troubled
unsettled
distressed
shaken
perturbed
unbalanced
brainsick
mad
maladjusted
crazy
disquieted
demented
Opposites
How to use disturbed
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
deeply disturbed
emotionally disturbed
find something disturbed
Frequently asked questions
What does “disturbed” mean?
The word “disturbed” means showing signs of mental or emotional trouble. In plain terms, either mentally troubled, or badly shaken by something you've seen or heard.
How do you pronounce “disturbed”?
“Disturbed” is pronounced dihs-TURBD (/dɪsˈtɝbd/ in IPA).
How do you use “disturbed” in a sentence?
Here is “disturbed” used in a sentence: “The film follows a deeply disturbed character.”
What part of speech is “disturbed”?
“Disturbed” is an adjective.
Is “disturbed” a common word?
“Disturbed” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “disturbed” have?
“Disturbed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: showing signs of mental or emotional trouble.
What is the difference between "disturbed" and "disturbing"?
"Disturbed" describes the person or thing that has been affected, showing signs of mental or emotional trouble or being shocked and alarmed. "Disturbing" describes the cause, something that produces that reaction in others. A film can be disturbing, which then leaves a viewer feeling disturbed.
Is "disturbed" a respectful way to describe someone with a mental health condition?
"Disturbed" can sound clinical or judgmental when applied to a person, since it labels someone as showing signs of mental or emotional trouble rather than describing a specific diagnosis. Many style guides now favor more precise or person-first language, such as naming the actual condition, when discussing mental health.
What is the difference between "disturbed" and "upset"?
"Upset" usually describes a milder, often temporary reaction of being bothered or saddened. "Disturbed" is stronger, covering both deep emotional or mental trouble and the sense of being very shocked or alarmed by something.
