What is disturbing? Pronunciation and usage in English

disturbing means . Learn how to pronounce and use disturbing through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of disturbing

disturbingadjective

/dɪˈstəːbɪŋ/
Definition & pronunciation of disturbing

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "disturbing" in English. It can be a little tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown with phonetic transcription and tips:

1. Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

ˈdɪstɜːrbɪŋ

2. Breakdown by Sounds:

  • di: Like the "di" in "did" or "die." (Short "i" sound)
  • st: As in "stop" or "stick."
  • ər: This is a tricky part. It’s a reduced vowel sound. It's similar to the "ər" in "butter" or “better”. It should be quite short. Think of it as almost disappearing.
  • b: As in "boy" or "blue."
  • ɪ: Like the "i" in "bit" or "sit." (Short "i" sound)
  • ŋ: This is the "ng" sound, like in "sing" or "long." It's a nasal sound – your voice vibrates in your nose.

3. Putting it Together - How it Sounds:

Say it slowly at first: "Dih-sturb-uh-bing" (emphasize the syllables)

Then, speed it up a little, trying to get the "ər" sound as short and almost fading away as possible. It’s not quite like the “er” in “her”.

4. Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't overemphasize the "dist-" part: It's a fairly compact syllable.
  • The "ər" is KEY: This is often where people stumble. Practicing it separately can help. Try saying "butter" and “better” repeatedly. Then blend it in with the rest of the word.
  • The "ng" sound: Make sure you're actually feeling that vibration in your nose.
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to get the rhythm and subtle nuances is to hear how a native speaker pronounces it. You can find examples on:
    • Google Translate: Type "disturbing" and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: (forvo.com) - A website with pronunciations by native speakers.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce disturbing" – you'll find many videos.

Resources to Listen:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Focus on practicing the “ər” sound?
  • Give you some example sentences to try saying with the word?

Usage and examples with the word disturbing in English

Let's break down how to use the word "disturbing" effectively in English. It’s a powerful word that conveys a strong feeling of unease or discomfort. Here's a breakdown of its usage, with examples:

1. Core Meaning:

At its most basic, "disturbing" means causing someone to feel uneasy, worried, or troubled. It describes something that goes against a person's sense of what's right or normal, or that evokes a negative emotional response.

2. Common Ways to Use It:

  • Describing Events/Situations: This is probably the most common use.

    • "The news report about the factory accident was disturbing." (Suggests a feeling of sadness, worry, or horror)
    • "I found the movie incredibly disturbing because of its depiction of violence." (Highlights the unsettling nature of the content)
    • “The silence in the room after his announcement was disturbing." (Implies something unpleasant or unsettling was revealed)

  • Describing Images/Sounds:

    • "The photograph of the abandoned house was disturbing." (Suggests a sense of decay, sadness, or maybe even a slight creepiness)
    • "The rhythmic scraping sound in the attic was disturbing." (Indicates a feeling of unease or apprehension)

  • Describing Thoughts/Memories:

    • "I had a disturbing dream last night." (Expresses unease or anxiety related to a dream)
    • "The memory of that day was disturbing and I couldn’t shake it." (Highlights the persistent negative emotional impact of a memory)

  • Describing Behavior:

    • "His sudden change in attitude was disturbing." (Suggests something is amiss or unsettling about the person's behavior)
    • "The way he looked at me was disturbing." (Indicates a feeling of unease or discomfort due to someone's gaze)

3. Levels of Intensity:

“Disturbing” has a range of intensity. You can adjust it to fit the situation:

  • Mildly Distorting: “That was a mildly disturbing image – a little unsettling, but not horrifying.”
  • Quite Distorting: "The article presented some quite disturbing facts about the environmental damage."
  • Highly Distorting: "The crime scene was horrifically disturbing." (This implies a very strong emotional reaction.)

4. Synonyms (Words that convey similar meanings):

  • Unsettling
  • Disturbing
  • Troublesome
  • Worrying
  • Unease-inducing
  • Shocking
  • Horrifying
  • Disturbing (sometimes, the word itself can be used repeatedly for emphasis)

5. Phrases using "Disturbing":

  • "A disturbing trend" - refers to an undesirable pattern
  • "Disturbing behavior" - unacceptable or unsettling actions
  • "Disturbing the peace" - disrupting a quiet or calm environment

Example Sentences Demonstrating Different Uses:

  • "The detective found the evidence at the crime scene disturbing." (Event)
  • "The children were disturbed by the loud thunderstorm." (Reaction to a sound)
  • "I’ve had disturbing thoughts about my future lately." (Thoughts/Memories)
  • "Her silence was disturbing; I didn’t know how to respond." (Behavior)

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., writing a story, describing a news event, talking about a personal experience?)
  • What specifically are you trying to communicate with the word "disturbing"? (e.g., sadness, fear, confusion, etc.)

Synonyms for the word disturbing

Practice with vocabulary disturbing

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The recent cybersecurity breach revealed some truly ______ implications for data privacy.
  2. Frequent unscheduled system updates can be quite ______ to workflow.
  3. The sudden decline in the stock market sent a ______ signal to investors worldwide.
  4. The company's persistent refusal to address customer complaints is a ______ issue for its reputation.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The latest environmental report painted a rather ______ picture of the planet's health. A) calming B) reassuring C) disturbing D) uplifting

  2. His uncharacteristic quietness after the meeting was quite ______. A) perplexing B) tranquil C) disturbing D) unsettling E) soothing

  3. The artist's new exhibition explores themes that some viewers might find deeply ______. A) inspiring B) comforting C) disturbing D) delightful

  4. The instructions for assembling the new equipment were so convoluted that many found them utterly ______. A) clear B) straightforward C) confusing D) coherent

  5. Given the current economic climate, it's ______ that we reduce our operational costs immediately. A) optional B) trivial C) inconsequential D) critical

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sudden increase in cyberattacks has caused significant worry among security experts. (Rewrite the sentence using a form of "disturb" or "disturbing".)

  2. Please do not interrupt the researchers while they are conducting their experiments. (Rewrite the sentence using a form of "disturb".)

  3. The constant background noise from the construction site really annoyed me during the conference call. (Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word for "annoyed" that is NOT "disturbing".)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. disturbing
  2. disruptive
  3. disturbing
  4. concerning

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C) disturbing
  2. A) perplexing, C) disturbing, D) unsettling
  3. C) disturbing
  4. C) confusing
  5. D) critical

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sudden increase in cyberattacks is a disturbing trend for security experts.
  2. Please do not disturb the researchers while they are conducting their experiments.
  3. The constant background noise from the construction site was quite irritating during the conference call.

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