What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disquieting
Example
The disquieting news about the pandemic made everyone anxious. [disquieting: adjective]
Example
The disquieting silence in the house made me feel uneasy. [disquieting: present participle]
unsettling
Example
The unsettling noise coming from the basement made me nervous. [unsettling: adjective]
Example
The news of the company's bankruptcy was unsettling for all the employees. [unsettling: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unsettling is more commonly used than disquieting in everyday language. Unsettling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while disquieting is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disquieting and unsettling?
Disquieting may be considered more formal or literary than unsettling, which is more commonly used in everyday language and informal contexts.