disturbed at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disturbed at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express feelings of discomfort or unease regarding a specific situation or event. Example: "She was deeply disturbed at the news of the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And I was disturbed at having to do it".

The New York Times

"We're very disturbed at what's happened," Mr. Chandler said.

The New York Times

"They are also alarmed and very disturbed at what is happening".

The New York Times

Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles or at accidents common or unavoidable.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some were disturbed at people's resignation to the inevitability of an attack.

The New York Times - Magazine

The savage pair may have been disturbed at the prospect that Polis was transgender.

The New York Times

The coroner was disturbed at the right of loan companies to empty bank accounts.

Independent

A divinity student sitting next to him becomes disturbed at this outburst, and begins his conversion.

The New Yorker

Dr. Puhl said she was especially disturbed at how openly the doctors expressed their biases.

The New York Times - Health

Karim is disturbed at first, but before long he begins to feel flattered by all the attention.

The New York Times

"Members of the public watching this are going to be very disturbed at the lack of independence and transparency".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disturbed at", consider the intensity of the feeling you want to convey. If a stronger emotion is intended, alternatives like "alarmed by" or "shocked by" may be more appropriate.

Common error

While "disturbed at" is widely acceptable, overuse in formal contexts may diminish its impact. Vary your language by using alternatives such as "concerned about" or "troubled by" to maintain a professional tone and avoid repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disturbed at" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a subject to express a feeling of unease, worry, or concern prompted by something specific. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disturbed at" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for conveying unease or concern about a specific situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, consider using synonyms like "upset by" or "concerned about" to add variety to your writing. Be mindful of overuse in formal contexts and always consider the intended intensity of the emotion you wish to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upset by

Changes the preposition and uses a different adjective to express a similar negative emotional reaction.

troubled by

Replaces "disturbed" with "troubled", maintaining a similar meaning of being bothered or worried.

concerned about

Uses "concerned" to convey a sense of worry, shifting the focus slightly to active concern.

worried about

Emphasizes the anxiety aspect of being disturbed, focusing on the worry caused by something.

alarmed by

Conveys a stronger sense of shock or fear compared to simply being disturbed.

apprehensive about

Suggests a feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad might happen.

perturbed by

Uses a more formal term, "perturbed", to indicate being unsettled or anxious.

unsettled by

Focuses on the feeling of being made uneasy or lacking a sense of stability.

dismayed by

Expresses disappointment and discouragement in addition to being disturbed.

shocked by

Indicates a strong feeling of surprise and upset, often by something unexpected.

FAQs

How can I use "disturbed at" in a sentence?

You can use "disturbed at" to express feelings of unease or concern regarding a specific situation. For example: "I was deeply disturbed at the news of the layoffs."

What are some alternatives to "disturbed at"?

You can use alternatives like "upset by", "troubled by", or "concerned about" depending on the context.

Is "disturbed by" interchangeable with "disturbed at"?

While both are similar, "disturbed at" usually refers to a specific event or piece of information that causes unease, while "disturbed by" can refer to a general feeling or condition.

When is it appropriate to use "disturbed at" in writing?

"Disturbed at" is appropriate when you want to express a feeling of discomfort or unease regarding a particular situation or event, and is acceptable in a variety of contexts from news to personal expression.