perturbed

USAGE SUMMARY

"perturbed" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means "disturbed or upset". Example sentence: The professor was perturbed by the students' lack of preparedness.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's a loud little birdie," she says, perturbed by a nearby sparrow.

The Guardian - Music

"It instantly struck me what an incredibly well-plotted work it is: scary, but with that madcap element that reminded me – and I mean this as the highest possible compliment – of an episode of Scooby-Doo!" As well as the visible locomotive-orchestra, there are other aspects of Hunter's production that would probably also have perturbed Ridley.

The Guardian

Wasswa is not perturbed.

The Guardian

It is not the sort of place others aspire to be.If the world at large is unimpressed by the kingdom's efforts towards regional leadership, its people, while a bit perturbed by the idea that princely youth might have its fling, like at least some of what they see.

The Economist

Investors were perturbed by the news that Mitsubishi UFJ had to boost its capital by raising ¥990 billion ($10.7 billion) in a share offering.

The Economist

The flip-flopping of Silvio Berlusconi's government in pushing through the austerity measures it pledged for Italy during the summer has perturbed investors.

The Economist

That may explain why investors were only briefly perturbed when Standard & Poor's (S&P) issued its first warning in 70 years that America's credit rating was in jeopardy because of its public debts.

The Economist

Last year, a referendum in Tajikistan confirmed constitutional amendments allowing President Imomali Rakhmonov to stay until 2020.In this section More effort needed Justice perturbed Vaulting the Himalayas Who's the boss?

The Economist

Syria's regime, perhaps perturbed by ISIS's success and suddenly keen to portray itself as an ally of the West in the fight against jihadist monsters, has for the first time mounted sustained aerial attacks on the group.

The Economist

But even those who know recovery will be slow and painful are perturbed by the persistence of one particular symptom: poor export performance.

The Economist

With rates only at 3.25%, there may be much more than a quarter-point increase to come.Even the euro zone's finance ministers, who met this week, do not sound perturbed by the currency's climb.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perturbed" when you want to convey a sense of mild disturbance or anxiety, particularly in formal contexts. It suggests a more subtle reaction than words like "alarmed" or "frightened".

Common error

Avoid using "perturbed" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "bothered", "worried" or "annoyed" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "perturbed" is as a past participle or adjective, often describing a state of mild anxiety or disturbance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it often modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is in a state of being perturbed, as seen in examples like "He is perturbed."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perturbed" is a versatile term suitable for conveying mild anxiety or disturbance, predominantly in formal or neutral contexts such as news reporting and business communications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While synonyms like "anxious" and "worried" exist, "perturbed" offers a more nuanced expression of unease, as shown in the examples from The Economist and The Guardian. Remember to reserve "perturbed" for more formal settings, opting for simpler alternatives in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disturbed

Signifies having one's peace of mind or tranquility disrupted.

disquieted

Implies a state of mild anxiety or uneasiness.

agitated

Implies a state of visible restlessness or anxiety.

concerned

Implies a sense of care or worry about a particular issue or situation.

uneasy

Indicates a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

anxious

Suggests a state of worry or unease about potential events or outcomes.

worried

Indicates a state of mental distress caused by concern about actual or potential problems.

flustered

Suggests a state of nervous confusion or agitation.

unsettled

Suggests a lack of stability or peace of mind.

apprehensive

Implies a feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

FAQs

How can I use "perturbed" in a sentence?

"Perturbed" is often used to describe someone who is mildly anxious or unsettled. For example, "The news perturbed her" or "He seemed perturbed by the interruption".

What are some synonyms for "perturbed"?

Alternatives to "perturbed" include "agitated", "anxious", "worried", or "disturbed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "unperturbed"?

Yes, "unperturbed" is the antonym of "perturbed" and means not disturbed or concerned. For example, "She remained unperturbed by the chaos around her".

When should I use "perturbed" instead of "annoyed"?

"Perturbed" suggests a milder form of disturbance than "annoyed". "Annoyed" implies irritation or displeasure, while "perturbed" indicates more of a mental unease or mild anxiety. Choose "perturbed" when the reaction is more about being unsettled than irritated.