adj C1 Advanced Uncommon

unsettling

Unsettling (adj) means causing a feeling of unease, anxiety, or disturbance. Example: “The film's ending was deeply unsettling.”

adj

Causing a feeling of unease, anxiety, or disturbance.

"The film's ending was deeply unsettling."

"There was something unsettling about his calm reaction."

How to use unsettling

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that makes you feel uneasy or on edge.

Common pairings

deeply unsettling unsettling silence find it unsettling

more unsettling comparative, unsettlings plural, most unsettling superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The film's ending was deeply _____.

From un- plus settling, the present participle of settle.

settling

What does “unsettling” mean?

The word “unsettling” means causing a feeling of unease, anxiety, or disturbance. In plain terms, something that makes you feel uneasy or on edge.

How do you use “unsettling” in a sentence?

Here is “unsettling” used in a sentence: “The film's ending was deeply unsettling.”

What part of speech is “unsettling”?

“Unsettling” is an adjective.

Is “unsettling” a common word?

“Unsettling” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

Vocabulary lists that include unsettling: