unsettled

1 of 2

adjective

un·​set·​tled ˌən-ˈse-tᵊld 

: not settled: such as

a(1)

: not calm or tranquil : disturbed

unsettled political conditions

(2)

: likely to vary widely especially in the near future : variable

unsettled weather

(3)

: not settled down

unsettled dust

b(1)

: not decided or determined : doubtful

an unsettled state of mind

(2)

: not resolved or worked out : undecided

an unsettled question

c

: characterized by irregularity

an unsettled life

d

: not inhabited or populated

unsettled land

e

: not mentally sound

f(1)

: not disposed of according to law

an unsettled estate

(2)

: not paid or discharged

unsettled debts

unsettledness

ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl(d)-nəs 

noun

unsettled

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of unsettle

Synonyms of unsettled

Adjective

• volatile
• unpredictable
• unstable
• changeful

Examples of unsettled in a Sentence

Adjective

We have some unsettled business to attend to.

we've been having a lot of unsettled weather lately

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The group of wings felt so unsettled late into the offseason that the Lakers were among the final teams willing to wait out the Jonathan Kuminga sweepstakes. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Measurement remains unsettled, since much of the data on AI discoverability comes from vendors that sell discoverability tools, and independent benchmarks have yet to emerge. — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

But key details of the new Medi-Cal requirements remained unsettled. — JosÉ Luis Villegas, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Why the Fourth Amendment matters The law remains unsettled on ALPR use. — Henry F. Fradella, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1550, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsettled

• resettled
• metalled
• nettled
• settled

Kids Definition

unsettled

adjective

un·​set·​tled ˌən-ˈset-ᵊld 

ˈən-

1

: not settled : not fixed (as in position or nature)

unsettled weather

2

: not calm : disturbed

unsettled waters

3

: not decided in mind : undetermined

unsettled about what to do

4

: not paid

an unsettled account

5

: not lived in by settlers

an unsettled region