unsettle
UK: ʌnˈsɛt(ə)l | US: ʌnˈsɛt(ə)l
vt. to disturb or disrupt the normal state of something
vt. to cause someone to feel anxious or uncertain
vi. (rare) to become unstable or disturbed
unsettle = un<not> + settle<fix/calm>
- un-: A prefix of negation (from Old English un-), meaning "not" or "opposite of."
- settle: Derived from Old English setlan (to place, fix, or calm), from Proto-Germanic satlijaną. Retains core meanings of stability or resolution.
Etymology Origin:
The word "unsettle" combines the Germanic prefix un- with the verb settle, creating a logical opposition—"to undo settling." Originally literal (e.g., disturbing physical objects), it evolved metaphorically to describe emotional or mental disruption by the 16th century. The morphemes preserve their original spellings while clearly conveying the word's antagonistic structure.
The sudden noise unsettled the sleeping cat.
His cryptic remarks unsettled the audience.
Economic instability can unsettle global markets.
She felt unsettled by the eerie silence.
The politician’s scandal unsettled public trust.