disturbing
Disturbing (adjective) means causing worry, unease, or shock. Example: “The documentary contains some disturbing images.”
How to use disturbing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnsettling enough to shake you up or worry you.
Word forms
more disturbing comparative, most disturbing superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The documentary contains some _____ images.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “disturbing” mean?
The word “disturbing” means causing worry, unease, or shock. In plain terms, unsettling enough to shake you up or worry you.
How do you pronounce “disturbing”?
“Disturbing” is pronounced dihs-TUR-bihng (/dɪsˈtɝ.bɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “disturbing” in a sentence?
Here is “disturbing” used in a sentence: “The documentary contains some disturbing images.”
What part of speech is “disturbing”?
“Disturbing” is an adjective.
Is “disturbing” a common word?
“Disturbing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between disturbing and disturbed?
Disturbing describes whatever causes worry, unease, or shock, as in "a disturbing film." Disturbed describes the person affected by that feeling, as in "I was disturbed by the film." Swapping the two — saying "I am disturbing" to describe your own unease — is a common learner error.
What is the difference between disturbing and unsettling?
They are close synonyms, but unsettling is usually milder, suggesting quiet unease or discomfort, while disturbing is stronger and can imply genuine worry or shock. A strange noise at night might be unsettling; graphic news footage is disturbing.
What is the difference between disturbing and scary?
Scary means causing fear, often a sudden fright. Disturbing means causing worry, unease, or shock, and the feeling tends to be more psychological and longer-lasting. A film can be scary without being disturbing, and a news report can be disturbing without being scary.
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