Disturbing Meaning
Disturbing Definition & Usage
Causing discomfort, anxiety, or fear due to an unpleasant or disconcerting nature.
Examples
- "The horror movie had a disturbing effect on me; I couldn't sleep afterward."
- "The disturbing news about the accident spread quickly through the town."
- "He had a disturbing habit of staring at people for long periods."
- "The scene was so disturbing that it left everyone in the room speechless."
- "The disturbing images from the war were difficult to erase from my mind."
To cause someone to feel upset or disturbed by interrupting their peace or focus.
Examples
- "The loud noise disturbed my concentration during the exam."
- "The sudden news of her friend's accident disturbed her deeply."
- "The phone call disturbed him while he was working on an important project."
- "His rude comment disturbed her, causing her to lose her train of thought."
- "A loud knock at the door disturbed the quiet evening."
Cultural Context
The word 'disturbing' has a long history, evolving from its Latin origins in 'disturbare', meaning 'to disorder'. It is widely used in both formal and informal contexts to describe things that upset, unsettle, or create anxiety. It often appears in discussions of media (such as movies or books), social issues, and emotional responses to unsettling events.
The Midnight Visitor
Story
The Midnight Visitor
It was late at night when Sarah heard the soft knocking at the door. Her heart raced, and she instinctively checked the time. It was well past midnight, and she hadn’t been expecting anyone. The sound was slow, deliberate—disturbing in its insistence. She approached the door, trying to ignore the unease creeping up her spine. As she opened it, there was no one there. Just the cool night air and the empty porch. But something felt off. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, and then it hit her: the yard light had been turned off. That wasn’t normal. She distinctly remembered leaving it on earlier that evening. She stepped back inside, locking the door behind her. The sense of dread didn't leave, only growing stronger as the silence stretched on. A few minutes later, her phone buzzed. It was a text from her friend, Mark: 'Did you hear about the break-in on Maple Street? They're saying the guy was never caught.' Sarah felt her stomach drop. That was the street just a few blocks over. A wave of disturbing thoughts filled her mind—was someone out there watching her? The unsettling feeling refused to dissipate, and soon the knock on the door seemed to be just the first of many things to disturb her peace that night. As she lay in bed, unable to sleep, she realized just how easily fear can be triggered by the smallest disruption in our environment. She couldn't shake the feeling that the night had only just begun.
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