disquieting
gb/dɪskwˈaɪətɪŋ/ us/dɪskwˈaɪətɪŋ/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
causing unease or anxiety
If something is disquieting, it makes you feel worried or not calm.
Usage pattern:
[something] is disquieting (to [someone])
Common mistake:
Learners may think it only means 'not quiet' (about sound). More often it means 'unsettling' or 'worrying'.
Synonyms
unsettling (emphasizes making you feel less secure or comfortable.)
|
disturbing (often stronger; suggests shock or upset.)
|
troubling (emphasizes concern and discomfort.)
Antonyms
reassuring (makes you feel less worried and more confident.)
|
comforting (makes you feel emotionally safe and calmer.)
|
calming (reduces nervousness or tension.)
Collocations
a disquieting thought
|a disquieting feeling
|a disquieting realization
|a disquieting question
|a disquieting silence
|a disquieting dream
|a disquieting image
|a disquieting detail
|deeply disquieting
|find [something] disquieting
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|communication
Examples
- I found his evasive answer disquieting.
- It was disquieting to realize that no one had checked the figures.
- The empty house had a disquieting atmosphere.
Learner examples
- The news was disquieting.
- It is disquieting to hear that the test failed.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
suggesting a serious problem
If a fact or change is disquieting, it makes people worried because it may mean something bad is happening.
Usage pattern:
a disquieting [sign/trend/report/finding]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse it for small worries; it often implies a more serious or persistent concern (especially in reports, trends, or evidence).
Synonyms
alarming (more urgent; suggests immediate danger or alarm.)
|
concerning (more neutral and common; suggests worry without strong emotion.)
|
ominous (suggests something bad may happen in the future.)
Antonyms
encouraging (suggests improvement or a good outcome.)
|
promising (suggests likely future success or benefit.)
Collocations
a disquieting trend
|a disquieting sign
|disquieting evidence
|a disquieting pattern
|disquieting statistics
|a disquieting rise
|a disquieting report
|disquieting findings
|a disquieting lack (of oversight/resources)
|increasingly disquieting
Themes
news
|society
|risk
Examples
- The report contains disquieting evidence of identity theft.
- There has been a disquieting rise in workplace accidents this year.
- The most disquieting finding was the lack of independent oversight.
Learner examples
- The study shows a disquieting trend.
- These numbers are disquieting.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disquieting
IPA
GB/dɪskwˈaɪətɪŋ/
US/dɪskwˈaɪətɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
dis - quiet - ing (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (quiet)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: disquieting
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.