disconcerting

USAGE SUMMARY

"disconcerting" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe an experience or situation that is unexpected, confusing, or unsettling. For example, "The disconcerting noise of the alarm woke her from her deep sleep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is also a telephone to which only the band's ex-members have the number: if it rings and a museum-goer picks it up, they will find themselves in the disconcerting position of holding a conversation with one of Abba while standing in front of a vast floor-to ceiling photograph of Abba.

The Guardian - Music

As Maggie O'Farrell put it in her Guardian review: "The stories wrap themselves around the wholly disconcerting premise that catastrophes can rear up in anyone's life without warning".

The Guardian

The two look so hale it's disconcerting.

The Guardian - Film

"This can be disconcerting for early career researchers – nothing in the training prepares you for the first time that a student asks to see you and then bursts into tears.

The Guardian

He acknowledged criticism of the scheme saying it was always "disconcerting" when a traditionalist such as himself came up with something not regarded as a conservative and traditional position.

The Guardian

Up yours, men! Doyen of disconcerting crooners, Daughn Gibson returns with yet another album full of intense storytelling set to cinematic soundscapes replete with ripples of sexuality and sinisterism.

The Guardian - Music

That was disconcerting enough.

The Guardian

I like the actors and I have a soft spot for dystopic visions of the near future, but I sense from the outside that this will be a tough needle to thread".War" gets off to a raucous start, nailing down conventions of the latter-day Bond-type film and pairing those sleek charms with disconcerting bits of the sort of reality that the movies tend to avoid.

The Economist

The interpolation process is good at removing blur and judder, but it can make the motion appear unnaturally smooth and disconcerting.

The Economist

Fianna Fail has ruled Ireland for nearly 18 of the last 20 years, for the past decade jointly with the small, right-of-centre Progressive Democrats.But the "Teflon taoiseach's" timing and tactics are disconcerting his supporters.

The Economist

Spreads on credit default swaps, a measure of the risks of default widened on both countries.The spread between Greek and German debt hit a new all-time high, and the movement in Portuguese yields is somewhat disconcerting.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disconcerting" when you want to emphasize the unsettling or disturbing nature of something, often due to its unexpected or confusing aspects. This word is stronger than "confusing" but less intense than "terrifying".

Common error

While "disconcerting" is a versatile word, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler words like "weird" or "strange" may be more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The word "disconcerting" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that causes feelings of unease, confusion, or disturbance. Ludwig AI confirms the adjective usage and provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "disconcerting" functions as an adjective, used to describe something that causes unease or disturbance. It is considered grammatically correct and enjoys very common usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a reliable adjective for conveying feelings of unease and disturbance. When writing, it's best to use "disconcerting" to highlight the unsettling or disturbing aspect of a situation, choosing it over simpler terms in formal or serious contexts, with alternatives such as "unsettling", "disturbing" or "troubling".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsettling

Focuses on disturbing one's peace of mind or stability.

disturbing

Emphasizes causing anxiety or worry.

troubling

Highlights the creation of concern or difficulty.

alarming

Stresses the creation of fear or apprehension.

unnerving

Highlights a loss of composure or confidence.

perplexing

Emphasizes causing confusion or bewilderment.

bewildering

Focuses on causing disorientation or confusion.

disquieting

Highlights causing a state of anxiety or restlessness.

agitating

Emphasizes stirring up negative emotions or unrest.

vexing

Focuses on causing irritation or annoyance.

FAQs

How can I use "disconcerting" in a sentence?

You can use "disconcerting" to describe something that causes unease or disturbance, such as, "The silence after the announcement was truly disconcerting."

What can I say instead of "disconcerting"?

You can use alternatives like "unsettling", "disturbing", or "troubling" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a disconcerting situation"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. "Disconcerting" is an adjective that can be used to describe a noun, such as "situation", "noise", or "experience".

What's the difference between "disconcerting" and "confusing"?

"Disconcerting" implies a sense of unease or disturbance, while "confusing" simply means lacking clarity or being difficult to understand. A situation can be both, but not necessarily. A "perplexing" puzzle is confusing; a shadow moving in the corner of your eye is disconcerting.