Words / B1

di-STURB-ing/dɪˈstɜːbɪŋ/

Disturbing means worrying or shocking: disturbing footage; a disturbing trend. Upset is weaker; shocking is stronger. Disturb is the verb. Do not use it for a slightly annoying noise — that is just noisy. Documentaries: disturbing images with a warning.

Meaning

Making you feel worried or shocked.

Examples

• “The documentary showed disturbing footage from the factory.”
• “A disturbing rise in absences followed the bus cuts.”

Good to know

disturbing footage / findings / trend. Verb: disturb. Weaker: upsetting. Stronger: shocking. Content warnings. Not a squeaky chair.

Near in meaning

shocking

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