disquieting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disquieting" is correct and usable in written English, and it means "causing anxiety or distress." You can use it to describe anything that is worrying, concerning, or upsetting.
Example sentence: The disquieting news of a possible outbreak sent shockwaves through the community.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bagenstos said it was difficult to disentangle the "dark history" of interrogation by Chicago and other law enforcement agencies from a post-9/11 militarization of domestic policework to trace the origins of the disquieting Homan Square allegations.

The Guardian

For all these caveats, though, the headline data remain disquieting.

The Economist

But most indicators of second- and third-generation assimilation in Europe are disquieting.

The Economist

So it is disquieting that the Blair government has signalled this week that it is likely to ignore this part of Lord Neill's report.The Blairites say that it would be absurd for ministers to call a referendum but not to express an opinion.

The Economist

Amid the mayhem that follows, Milo finds reasons for staying alive: an enjoyably disquieting romp.At the Market Theatre in downtown Johannesburg, where Athol Fugard's protest pieces used to run, the most gripping of this year's repertoire was "Not With My Gun", a new play by Aubrey Sekhabi and Mpumelelo Grootboom.

The Economist

Either way, it is unlikely to encourage investment or reassure sceptics that security in the country is under control.Indeed, a further disquieting aspect of the new Libya is the continuing ability of local militias, especially in places such as Misrata and Zintan that bore the burden of the battle against Qaddafi, to ignore the writ of the central government.

The Economist

Ms Yoseloff describes how in a London bus "we are too intimate in this folded space", the edge-to-edge contact with a stranger's body momentarily disquieting.

The Economist

Many people see disquieting shades of Big Brother in all this.The Gore campaign has said that it will not hire Aristotle, or any online ad firm that raises concerns about privacy, although the campaign might use similar targeting techniques of its own.

The Economist

THE protesters were back in Syntagma square on May 1st, a disquieting reminder of the pressures facing the nearly one-year-old coalition government as it strives to meet the terms of Greece's second bail-out.

The Economist

Their actions may be perfectly sensible, but there is something disquieting about unelected officials extensively rewriting policy with so little public debate.

The Economist

For all her uncompromising talk, Ms Reno clearly does not know which way to turn.The parallels with Waco are disquieting.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disquieting" to describe situations or information that cause a sense of unease or anxiety, but are not necessarily terrifying or overtly threatening.

Common error

Avoid using "disquieting" in situations that warrant stronger terms like "horrifying" or "terrifying". "Disquieting" is best suited for subtle or underlying anxieties.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disquieting" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that causes anxiety, unease, or disturbance, as confirmed by Ludwig and evidenced in examples from The Economist and Encyclopedia Britannica.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "disquieting" is a versatile term used to describe something that causes anxiety or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed in various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "disturbing" and "alarming" exist, "disquieting" often conveys a more subtle sense of concern. When using the term, ensure it aligns with the intended tone and emotional intensity, avoiding overuse in highly emotional contexts. Overall, "disquieting" is a reliable choice for expressing underlying anxieties or subtle disturbances. Ludwig provides numerous examples that exemplify the correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disturbing

Shares a very similar meaning, indicating something that disrupts peace of mind.

troubling

Emphasizes the aspect of causing concern or worry.

alarming

Focuses on the aspect of creating a sense of danger or urgency.

worrying

Highlights the aspect of causing anxiety.

unsettling

Indicates something that disrupts one's sense of stability or comfort.

unnerving

Stresses the aspect of causing nervousness or fear.

ominous

Suggests that something bad is going to happen.

disconcerting

Emphasizes the feeling of being confused and disturbed.

frightening

Focuses on the aspect of causing fear.

distressing

Highlights the aspect of causing emotional pain or suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "disquieting" in a sentence?

You can use "disquieting" to describe something that causes unease or anxiety. For example, "The "disquieting news" about the economy caused widespread concern."

What can I say instead of "disquieting"?

You can use alternatives like "disturbing", "troubling", or "alarming" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "disquieting" and "disturbing"?

While both words suggest a disruption of peace, "disquieting" often implies a more subtle or underlying sense of unease, whereas "disturbing" can indicate a more overt or shocking disruption.

When is it appropriate to use "disquieting" in writing?

"Disquieting" is appropriate when you want to convey a sense of unease, concern, or subtle disturbance without resorting to stronger or more dramatic language. It's well-suited for describing situations that are unsettling but not overtly threatening.