unsettled

UK: /ʌnˈsɛt^əld/ US: /ʌnˈsɛtəld/ ,(un set′ld)

From the verb unsettle: (⇒ conjugate)

unsettled is: ⓘ

v past

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•set•tled /ʌnˈsɛtəld/   adj. 

1. not settled;
   not stable:
   an unsettled political situation.
2. continuously moving or changing:
   an unsettled life.
3. lacking certainty;
   uneasy:
   an unsettled mind.
4. not populated or settled:
   an unsettled wilderness.
5. undetermined;
   undecided:
   unsettled lawsuits.
6. likely to change;
   changeable:
   unsettled weather.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•set•tled  (un set′ld), adj. 

1. not settled;
   not fixed or stable;
   without established order;
   unorganized;
   disorganized:
   an unsettled social order; still unsettled in their new home.
2. continuously moving or changing;
   not situated in one place:
   an unsettled life.
3. wavering or uncertain, as in opinions or behavior;
   unstable;
   erratic:
   an unsettled state of mind.
4. not populated or settled, as a region:
   an unsettled wilderness.
5. undetermined, as a point at issue;
   undecided;
   doubtful:
   After many years the matter was still unsettled.
6. not adjusted, closed, or disposed of, as an account, estate, or law case.
7. liable to change;
   inconstant;
   variable:
   unsettled weather.

• un-¹ + settle¹ + -ed² 1585–95

un•set′tled•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 3. Unsettled, unstable, unsteady imply a lack of fixity, firmness, and dependability. That which is unsettled is not fixed or determined:
  unsettled weather; unsettled claims.
  That which is unstable is wavering, changeable; easily moved, shaken, or overthrown:
  unstable equilibrium; an unstable decision.
  That which is unsteady is infirm or shaky in position or movement:
  unsteady on one's feet; unsteady of purpose.
• 5. indeterminate, unsure.
• 7. vacillating, fickle, faltering, irresolute.

Antonyms

• 1, 3. stable.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

unsettled / ʌnˈsɛt^əld/ adjective

1. lacking order or stability: an unsettled era
2. unpredictable; uncertain: an unsettled climate
3. constantly changing or moving from place to place: an unsettled life
4. (of controversy, etc) not brought to an agreed conclusion
5. (of debts, law cases, etc) not disposed of

unˈsettledness noun

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•set•tle /ʌnˈsɛtəl/   v. [~ + object] , -tled, -tling. 

1. to disturb;
   shake or weaken (beliefs, feelings, etc.);
   cause doubt or uncertainty about.
2. to disturb or upset the mind or emotions of.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•set•tle  (un set′l), v., -tled, -tling. 
v.t. 

1. to alter from a settled state;
   cause to be no longer firmly fixed or established;
   render unstable;
   disturb:
   Violence unsettled the government.
2. to shake or weaken (beliefs, feelings, etc.);
   cause doubt or uncertainty about:
   doubts unsettling his religious convictions.
3. to vex or agitate the mind or emotions of;
   upset;
   discompose:
   The quarrel unsettled her.

v.i. 

4. to become unfixed or disordered.

• un-² + settle¹ 1535–45

Synonyms

• 2. . upset, disturb, unbalance, confuse, disconcert.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

unsettle / ʌnˈsɛt^əl/ verb

1. (usually tr) to change or become changed from a fixed or settled condition
2. (transitive) to confuse or agitate (emotions, the mind, etc)

unˈsettlement noun