U

disturbing

adjective

upsetting or disquieting; dismaying: a disturbing increase in the crime rate.

verb (used with object)

to interrupt the quiet, rest, peace, or order of; unsettle.
to interfere with; interrupt; hinder: Please do not disturb me when I’m working.
to interfere with the arrangement, order, or harmony of; disarrange: to disturb the papers on her desk.
to perplex; trouble: to be disturbed by strange behavior.

verb (used without object)

to cause disturbance to someone’s sleep, rest, etc.: Do not disturb.

adjective

tending to upset or agitate; troubling; worrying

verb (tr)

to intrude on; interrupt
to destroy or interrupt the quietness or peace of
to disarrange; muddle
(often passive) to upset or agitate; troubleI am disturbed at your bad news
to inconvenience; put outdon’t disturb yourself on my account

c.1300, “to stop or hinder,” from Old French destorber (Old North French distourber) and directly from Latin disturbare “throw into disorder,” from dis- “completely” (see dis-) + turbare “to disorder, disturb,” from turba “turmoil” (see turbid).

Meaning “to frighten” is late 13c.; that of “to stir up, agitate” is c.1300. Related: Disturbed; disturbing; disturbingly. Middle English also had distourbler (n.) “one who disturbs or incites” (late 14c.).