DISQUIET Synonyms: 192 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'disquiet' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disquiet are agitate , discompose , disturb , fluster , perturb , and upset . While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind. // the disquieting news of factories closing

Q: In what contexts can 'agitate' take the place of 'disquiet'?

While the synonyms agitate and disquiet are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement. // in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

Q: When might 'discompose' be a better fit than 'disquiet'?

Although the words discompose and disquiet have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress. // discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

Q: When is 'disturb' a more appropriate choice than 'disquiet'?

The words disturb and disquiet can be used in similar contexts, but disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption. // the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Q: Where would 'fluster' be a reasonable alternative to 'disquiet'?

The meanings of fluster and disquiet largely overlap; however, fluster suggests bewildered agitation. // his declaration of love completely flustered her

Q: When could 'perturb' be used to replace 'disquiet'?

The synonyms perturb and disquiet are sometimes interchangeable, but perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions. // perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

Q: When can 'upset' be used instead of 'disquiet'?

The words upset and disquiet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief. // the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

disquiet 1 of 2

noun

Definition of disquiet

as in turmoil

a disturbed or uneasy state a period of disquiet before the results of the close election were confirmed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in concern

an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble was filled with disquiet as the hours passed without any sign of the missing children

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disquiet

2 of 2

verb

(ˌ)dis-ˈkwī-ət

as in to concern

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy we were disquieted by the strange noises we heard outside our tent at night

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb disquiet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of disquiet are agitate, discompose, disturb, fluster, perturb, and upset. While all these words mean "to destroy capacity for collected thought or decisive action," disquiet suggests loss of sense of security or peace of mind.

the disquieting news of factories closing

In what contexts can agitate take the place of disquiet?

While the synonyms agitate and disquiet are close in meaning, agitate suggests obvious external signs of nervous or emotional excitement.

in his agitated state we could see he was unable to work

When might discompose be a better fit than disquiet?

Although the words discompose and disquiet have much in common, discompose implies some degree of loss of self-control or self-confidence especially through emotional stress.

discomposed by the loss of his beloved wife

When is disturb a more appropriate choice than disquiet?

The words disturb and disquiet can be used in similar contexts, but disturb implies interference with one's mental processes caused by worry, perplexity, or interruption.

the discrepancy in accounts disturbed me

Where would fluster be a reasonable alternative to disquiet?

The meanings of fluster and disquiet largely overlap; however, fluster suggests bewildered agitation.

his declaration of love completely flustered her

When could perturb be used to replace disquiet?

The synonyms perturb and disquiet are sometimes interchangeable, but perturb implies deep disturbance of mind and emotions.

perturbed by her husband's strange behavior

When can upset be used instead of disquiet?

The words upset and disquiet are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, upset implies the disturbance of normal or habitual functioning by disappointment, distress, or grief.

the family's constant bickering upsets the youngest child

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of disquiet

Noun

However, Mars enters Cancer on August 11, which could lead to more domestic disquiet than usual, and Venus will run into an opposition with Saturn on August 21, which brings an interpersonal matter to a head. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026 On May 1, 1775, the day the Quebec Act took effect, the life-size marble statue of George III in Montréal – erected in gratitude for his assistance following a fire – was vandalized, indicating disquiet there about this new order. — Sarah M.s. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Verb

The impersonations were disquieting. — Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2026 Her images of ice blocks, lush fabrics, cherries, sea animals, and charred hearts are disquieting in the best way and well worth trekking to Santa Monica to witness in person. — Emma Specter, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disquiet

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disquiet

Noun

But deeper into the hills of the Ivy League institution, a homemade banner hanging from student co-op housing Saturday signals roiling turmoil.

— Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
The song, written with Dan Wilson, isn’t just a story of the turmoil that befell the band post-2003.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of turmoil

Noun

Bird has concerns, particularly around the build-up of power around technological advancements, which push the film into surprising and exciting dystopian directions.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
By that point, family members of those on board had raised concerns about dwindling food supplies and low morale.

— Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of concern

Verb

Investors have grown increasingly alarmed over the eurozone’s debt burden, moribund economic growth, and persistent inflation.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Ayesha Bell Hardaway, a former prosecutor who is a professor of law at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, is alarmed by the dramatic variation across the country.

— Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of alarm

Noun

India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines are among the countries that are most exposed to food security risk from the super El Niño and also face the highest risk of civil unrest due to rising prices, Verisk Maplecroft said.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
French youths have been demonstrating over poor conditions at school buildings, and analysts expect unrest to intensify after a teenager’s hand was blown off by a riot police sting grenade.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of unrest

Noun

Residents say Ethiopian federal forces retook Mekelle’s airport from Tigrayan fighters, but communications blackouts and fear of reprisals have left unclear who controls Tigray’s capital city.

— Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
The book offers creative ways to manage fear and negativity — like pretend-flushing your mistakes down the toilet — before, during and after a high-stakes task.

— Lennon Sherburne, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of fear

Verb

Nothing to worry about, though, as the hotel is located in a neighborhood packed with restaurants and bars of all sorts.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Following these reports, concerns are circulating about what exactly caused the death and quarantine — and just how worried the rest of the world should be.

— Renée Onque, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

When presented together and thought juxtapositionally, the works launch visitors onto an emotional pendulum that pivots from exhilaration to unease and distress.

— Tina M. Campt, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
The survey quantifies the sense of unease and frustration many customers of these new-wave insurers feel.

— Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of unease

Noun

And three, sometimes four, of those many waking hours are spent in the car — bouncing from home to school to her second or third job and home again — with music at full blast to drown out the babble of anxiety, most of it financial.

— Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
This can help decrease anxiety and increase confidence by removing the pressure of one ideal performance and shifting focus to the present moment.

— Lennon Sherburne, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of anxiety

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“Disquiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disquiet. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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verb

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