unsettle
Unsettle is a verb that means to cause someone to feel uneasy, worried, or disturbed; to disrupt the balance, stability, or order of a person, group, or situation. It is typically used with a direct object: for example, “The report unsettled investors” or “The sudden announcement unsettled residents.” In some contexts it can describe events that destabilize a system, institution, or process, such as “a series of policy changes unsettled financial markets.” The word often carries emotional or psychological connotations, though it can also be used in more analytic or descriptive senses.
Etymology: Unsettle derives from the prefix un- (not, opposite of) attached to settle. The form appears in
Usage notes: Unsettle emphasizes disruption and unease rather than outright damage. It is often preferred in