unsettled

adjective

un·​set·​tled ˌən-ˈse-tᵊld 

: not settled: such as

a(1)

: not calm or tranquil : disturbed

unsettled political conditions

(2)

: likely to vary widely especially in the near future : variable

unsettled weather

(3)

: not settled down

unsettled dust

b(1)

: not decided or determined : doubtful

an unsettled state of mind

(2)

: not resolved or worked out : undecided

an unsettled question

c

: characterized by irregularity

an unsettled life

d

: not inhabited or populated

unsettled land

e

: not mentally sound

f(1)

: not disposed of according to law

an unsettled estate

(2)

: not paid or discharged

unsettled debts

unsettledness

ˌən-ˈse-tᵊl(d)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• capricious
• changeable
• changeful
• fickle
• flickery
• fluctuating
• fluid
• inconsistent
• inconstant
• mercurial
• mutable
• skittish
• temperamental
• uncertain
• unpredictable
• unstable
• unsteady
• variable
• volatile

Examples of unsettled in a Sentence

We have some unsettled business to attend to.

we've been having a lot of unsettled weather lately

Recent Examples on the Web

As many in the organization filtered into the parking lot and away from the airport, Curry, who often moves in his personal life at a methodical pace, saw the unsettled Post trying to figure out the logistics of his exit as the options dwindled. —Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025

But officials became unsettled when news broke that U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Cuban American Republican from Florida whom Cuba considers an archenemy, was likely to become the next U.S. secretary of state, sources who asked not to be named to speak of their interactions with Cuban officials, said. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025

That’s when specialty analysts are supposed to fill the void by finding new ways to anticipate the threats of an increasingly unsettled world. —Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2025

In such an unsettled race, The Substance’s Margaret Qualley could ride in on Demi Moore’s coattails. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unsettled

adjective

un·​set·​tled ˌən-ˈset-ᵊld 

ˈən-

1

: not settled : not fixed (as in position or nature)

unsettled weather

2

: not calm : disturbed

unsettled waters

3

: not decided in mind : undetermined

unsettled about what to do

4

: not paid

an unsettled account

5

: not lived in by settlers

an unsettled region