disturbing
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: - Causing distress, worry, or anxiety: Something described as "disturbing" is unsettling, troubling, or causes a feeling of unease or concern. It often refers to information, events, or situations that are psychologically unsettling.
Usage
The adjective "disturbing" is used to describe something that provokes a sense of alarm, disquiet, or emotional discomfort. It is typically placed before a noun or used after a linking verb like "is," "was," or "seems."
Examples
- Before a noun:
- The documentary presented disturbing images of the conflict.
- He has a disturbing habit of never making eye contact.
- After a linking verb:
- The latest crime statistics are deeply disturbing.
- I found his silence more disturbing than his anger.
Advanced Usage
- "Disturbing to": Used to indicate who is affected by the disturbing thing.
- The lack of transparency was disturbing to the investigators.
- Intensifiers: Often modified by adverbs like "deeply," "particularly," "extremely," or "profoundly" to emphasize the degree of unease.
- She had a profoundly disturbing dream last night.
Variants and Related Words
- Disturb (verb): To interrupt the normal arrangement or functioning of something; to cause someone to feel anxious or unsettled.
- Please do not disturb the papers on my desk.
- The news report disturbed me greatly.
- Disturbingly (adverb): In a manner that causes worry or unease.
- The test results were disturbingly low.
- Disturbed (adjective): Showing signs of emotional or mental instability; having been interrupted.
- He was emotionally disturbed after the accident.
- a disturbed sleep pattern
Synonyms
- Troubling: Causing distress or anxiety.
- Worrying: Causing concern about potential problems.
- Alarming: Causing sudden fear or concern.
- Disconcerting: Causing one to feel unsettled or confused.
- Upsetting: Causing emotional distress.
Antonyms
- Reassuring: Serving to relieve anxiety or doubt.
- Comforting: Providing consolation or a feeling of ease.
- Soothing: Having a calming or relieving effect.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- A disturbing trend: Refers to a pattern of events that is cause for concern.
- There is a disturbing trend of increasing voter apathy among young people.
- Find it disturbing that...: A common phrase to express personal concern about a fact or situation.
- I find it disturbing that so many people ignore the basic safety rules.
Adjective
- causing distress or worry or anxiety
- distressing (or disturbing) news
- lived in heroic if something distressful isolation
- a disturbing amount of crime
- a revelation that was most perturbing
- a new and troubling thought
- in a particularly worrisome predicament
- a worrying situation
- a worrying time