What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
alarming
Example
The sudden increase in crime rates is alarming. [alarming: adjective]
Example
The sound of the smoke alarm was alarming. [alarming: gerund or present participle]
unsettling
Example
The news of the earthquake was unsettling. [unsettling: adjective]
Example
The sight of the abandoned house was unsettling. [unsettling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alarming is more commonly used than unsettling in everyday language. Alarming is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unsettling is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between alarming and unsettling?
Both alarming and unsettling can be used in formal and informal contexts, but alarming may be more appropriate in situations that require a more urgent or serious tone.
