Beunruhigt

Beunruhigt is a German adjective and the past participle of the verb beunruhigen. It describes a state of worry, distress, or unsettledness in a person or group. The word is used both predicatively (the subject is beunruhigt) and attributively (a beunruhigte Person, eine beunruhigte Bevölkerung). It can also function as a past participle in compound tenses, as in "hat beunruhigt."

Etymology and related forms: Beunruhigen combines the prefix be- with Unruhe (unrest). The noun Beunruhigung denotes the act or state of becoming unsettled or concerned. The related adjective beunruhigend means disturbing or worrying and is often used to describe things that cause concern, rather than the emotional state of a person (eine beunruhigende Nachricht).

Usage and nuance: Beunruhigt expresses personal or collective concern in response to events or information. Examples: "Die Regierung ist beunruhigt über die Entwicklung" or "Die Bevölkerung ist beunruhigt." Beunruhigt focuses on the feeling of being unsettled, while beunruhigend emphasizes the quality of something as disturbing. In journalistic and political contexts, beunruhigt is common when reporting reactions to crises, security concerns, or uncertain outcomes.

Synonyms and antonyms: Synonyms include besorgt, unruhig, verunsichert. Antonyms include beruhigt, ruhig, gelassen.

Summary: Beunruhigt conveys a state of worry or distress in people or groups, derived from beunruhigen, and contrasts with beunruhigend, which describes situations or events that cause concern.