What does disquieted mean?
"Disquieted" describes a state of mental unease or anxiety — the condition of being troubled, restless, or deprived of inner calm. It functions chiefly as an adjective ("the villagers were disquieted by strange lights on the moor") and also as the past tense and past participle of the verb "disquiet," meaning to make someone uneasy. The word is somewhat formal and literary, appearing frequently in journalism, official statements, and narrative prose rather than casual speech. Its connotations suggest more than fleeting worry: a disquieted person carries a persistent, gnawing disturbance. Etymologically it combines the prefix "dis-" with "quiet," tracing back to Latin "quietus," meaning rest or repose — so to be disquieted is, quite literally, to have one's rest disturbed. Related forms include "disquiet" (noun and verb) and "disquieting."
Feeling or showing anxiety, unease, or lack of peace; mentally unsettled.
"The board was deeply disquieted by the auditor's preliminary findings."
Formal register; often intensified by adverbs such as 'deeply' or 'visibly.'
Past tense and past participle of 'disquiet': made uneasy or anxious.
"Reports of unrest in the capital disquieted foreign investors."
Usually used in passive constructions ('was/were disquieted by...').
Built from Latin 'quietus' meaning 'rest,' 'disquieted' literally means having your rest taken away — anxiety described as stolen calm.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of disquieted
Formed in English from the prefix "dis-" (indicating reversal or deprivation) plus "quiet," which derives from Latin "quietus" meaning "rest" or "calm," from "quiescere," to rest. The related noun and verb "disquiet" entered English in the Middle English period via Old French "desquiete," and "disquieted" developed naturally from the verb as its participial form, later functioning independently as an adjective. Cognates sharing the Latin root include "tranquil," "quietude," and "quiescent."
Related word forms
How disquieted is actually used
Somewhat formal or literary in register — more common in written English, journalism, and official reports than everyday conversation. Carries a connotation of deep, lingering unease rather than momentary nervousness.
Easily confused with disquieted
'Disquieted' describes the person who feels the unease, while 'disquieting' describes something that causes unease in others.