Top 36 Slang For Disturbing – Meaning & Usage

Disturbing situations can be hard to describe, but with the right slang terms, we can better articulate those unsettling moments. Join us as we uncover the top slang for disturbing, shedding light on the language used to navigate those uneasy encounters. Get ready to expand your vocabulary and dive into the darker side of expressions with us!

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1. Creepy

This term is used to describe something that gives a sense of unease or discomfort. It often refers to something or someone that is strange, eerie, or unnerving.

For example, “That old abandoned house gives me the creeps.”
A person might say, “His constant staring is really creepy.”
In a horror movie review, someone might comment, “The atmosphere in this film is so creepy, it will give you nightmares.”

2. Eerie

This word is used to describe something that is unsettling or gives a feeling of unease, often due to its strangeness or mysterious nature.

For instance, “The empty streets at night felt eerie.”
A person might say, “There was an eerie silence in the room.”
In a ghost story, someone might describe a haunted house as “eerie and foreboding.”

3. Spooky

This term is used to describe something that is scary, frightening, or unsettling. It often refers to situations or experiences that evoke a sense of fear or unease.

For example, “Walking through the dark woods at night was really spooky.”
A person might say, “There’s something spooky about that old abandoned hospital.”
In a Halloween-themed event, someone might comment, “The decorations are so spooky, it really sets the mood.”

4. Chilling

This word is used to describe something that is deeply disturbing or unsettling. It often refers to experiences or situations that evoke a strong emotional response, such as fear or unease.

For instance, “The documentary about serial killers was chilling.”
A person might say, “Her cold and emotionless stare was chilling.”
In a suspenseful movie, someone might comment, “The plot twists in this film are truly chilling.”

5. Unnerving

This term is used to describe something that causes a sense of unease, discomfort, or anxiety. It often refers to situations or experiences that make someone feel unsettled or on edge.

For example, “The constant surveillance was unnerving.”
A person might say, “The sound of footsteps behind me was unnerving.”
In a thriller novel, someone might describe the suspenseful atmosphere as “unnerving and tense.”

6. Hair-raising

This term describes something that is extremely frightening or causes one’s hair to stand on end due to fear or shock.

For example, “That horror movie was so hair-raising, I couldn’t sleep for days.”
A person might describe a chilling ghost story as, “I heard a hair-raising tale about a haunted house.”
Another might say, “The roller coaster ride was absolutely hair-raising, with its steep drops and twists.”

7. Macabre

This term refers to something that is disturbingly gruesome, morbid, or dark in nature, often associated with death or the supernatural.

For instance, “The artist’s paintings had a macabre quality, with their depictions of decaying bodies.”
A person discussing horror literature might say, “Edgar Allan Poe’s stories are known for their macabre themes and settings.”
Another might comment, “The macabre imagery in the movie created a sense of unease and horror.”

8. Bone-chilling

This term describes something that is extremely chilling or causes a shiver down one’s spine due to fear, coldness, or a sense of dread.

For example, “The sound of footsteps in an empty house can be bone-chilling.”
A person might describe a terrifying scream as, “I heard a bone-chilling scream in the middle of the night.”
Another might say, “The bone-chilling wind made it feel like the temperature had dropped below freezing.”

9. Disturbing

This term refers to something that is troubling, unsettling, or causes a feeling of discomfort or unease.

For instance, “The movie had many disturbing scenes that left the audience shocked.”
A person might describe a disturbing news article as, “I read a disturbing story about a recent crime spree.”
Another might comment, “The disturbing images in the documentary shed light on a dark and disturbing reality.”

10. Freaky

This term describes something that is strange, unusual, or out of the ordinary in a disturbing or unsettling way.

For example, “I had a freaky dream last night that felt so real.”
A person might describe a creepy doll as, “That doll has a freaky vibe, with its life-like eyes.”
Another might say, “The abandoned house had a freaky atmosphere, with its creaking floors and flickering lights.”

11. Gruesome

This word describes something that is extremely disturbing or horrifying, often involving violence or bloodshed.

For example, “The crime scene was so gruesome that even seasoned police officers were unsettled.”
A horror movie fan might say, “The special effects in that movie were incredibly gruesome.”
Someone might describe a graphic scene in a book as, “The author didn’t hold back on the gruesome details.”

12. Harrowing

This word is used to describe something that is deeply distressing or traumatizing, often causing intense emotional pain or suffering.

For instance, “The survivor’s harrowing tale of escape moved everyone in the room.”
A person might describe a near-death experience as, “It was the most harrowing moment of my life.”
A war veteran might recount, “The sights and sounds of battle were truly harrowing.”

13. Jarring

This term is used to describe something that is unexpected or surprising in a way that is unsettling or shocking.

For example, “The sudden loud noise was jarring and caused everyone to jump.”
A person might say, “The contrast between the peaceful scenery and the graffiti-covered walls was jarring.”
A movie reviewer might describe a disturbing scene as, “The film’s jarring imagery left a lasting impression.”

14. Nightmarish

This word describes something that is reminiscent of a nightmare, often involving surreal or terrifying elements.

For instance, “The abandoned house had a nightmarish quality, with its broken windows and overgrown vines.”
A person might describe a chaotic situation as, “It felt like a nightmarish scene straight out of a horror movie.”
A writer might use the term to describe a character’s terrifying dreams as, “The protagonist battled nightmarish creatures in their sleep.”

15. Sinister

This word is used to describe something that is evil, threatening, or suggesting harm or danger.

For example, “The sinister figure lurking in the shadows sent chills down my spine.”
A person might say, “There was something sinister about the way he smiled.”
A mystery novel might describe a character as, “A sinister presence with a hidden agenda.”

16. Troubling

This term is used to describe something that causes concern or anxiety. It implies that the situation or information is unsettling and may require attention.

For example, “The troubling rise in crime rates has the community on edge.”
A news article might report, “Experts are warning about the troubling increase in mental health issues among teenagers.”
In a conversation about politics, someone might say, “The troubling trend of voter suppression is a threat to democracy.”

17. Unsettling

When something is unsettling, it creates a sense of unease or discomfort. It suggests that the situation or experience is disturbing and may disrupt one’s peace of mind.

For instance, “The unsettling noise in the attic kept me awake all night.”
A horror movie might be described as “unsettling” if it leaves viewers feeling disturbed or on edge.
In a discussion about a controversial art piece, someone might say, “The artist intentionally created an unsettling atmosphere to provoke a reaction.”

18. Alarming

This word is used to describe something that causes fear, shock, or concern. It implies that the situation or information is unexpected and may require immediate attention.

For example, “The alarming increase in pollution levels is a threat to public health.”
A news headline might read, “Alarming new data reveals the extent of income inequality.”
In a conversation about cybersecurity, someone might say, “The alarming rise in cyber attacks is a major concern for businesses.”

19. Disconcerting

When something is disconcerting, it causes confusion, unease, or disturbance. It suggests that the situation or experience is unexpected and disrupts one’s sense of security or comfort.

For instance, “The disconcerting silence in the empty house made me uneasy.”
A person might find it disconcerting to receive a mysterious package in the mail without any explanation.
In a discussion about a controversial decision, someone might say, “The mayor’s sudden change of stance is disconcerting and raises questions about their motives.”

20. Distressing

This term is used to describe something that causes emotional pain, sorrow, or discomfort. It implies that the situation or experience is deeply troubling and may evoke strong negative emotions.

For example, “The distressing news of a natural disaster affected the entire community.”
A person might find it distressing to witness an act of cruelty or violence.
In a conversation about personal experiences, someone might share, “I went through a distressing breakup that took a long time to recover from.”

21. Perturbing

Perturbing is a word used to describe something that causes unease or discomfort. It refers to something that is unsettling or bothersome.

For example, “The horror movie was perturbing, leaving viewers on edge.”
In a discussion about a disturbing news article, someone might say, “The details of the crime are incredibly perturbing.”
A person might describe a creepy painting as “visually perturbing.”

22. Cacophonous

Cacophonous describes something that is characterized by an unpleasant or discordant sound. It refers to noises that are jarring or grating to the ears.

For instance, “The construction site was cacophonous, with the sound of jackhammers and heavy machinery.”
In a music review, someone might describe a band’s performance as “cacophonous and chaotic.”
A person might complain about a noisy neighbor, saying, “Their parties are always cacophonous.”

23. Ghoulish

Ghoulish refers to something that is reminiscent of a ghoul or associated with death and the macabre. It describes things that are eerie, creepy, or morbid in nature.

For example, “The haunted house had a ghoulish atmosphere, with dim lighting and spooky decorations.”
In a discussion about horror literature, someone might say, “The author has a talent for creating ghoulish characters.”
A person might describe a disturbing Halloween costume as “ghoulish.”

24. Terrifying

Terrifying is a word used to describe something that instills fear or terror. It refers to things that are extremely scary or horrifying.

For instance, “The roller coaster ride was terrifying, with its steep drops and high speeds.”
In a review of a horror movie, someone might describe it as “absolutely terrifying.”
A person might recount a frightening experience, saying, “It was the most terrifying moment of my life.”

25. Disquieting

Disquieting describes something that causes a feeling of unease or discomfort. It refers to things that are disturbing or make one feel uneasy.

For example, “The eerie silence in the abandoned house was disquieting.”
In a discussion about a disturbing book, someone might say, “The author has a talent for creating disquieting atmospheres.”
A person might describe a creepy movie as “deeply disquieting.”

26. Creep-tastic

This term combines the words “creep” and “fantastic” to describe something that is both creepy and impressive or amazing. It is often used to describe things that give a sense of unease or discomfort.

For example, “That horror movie was so creep-tastic, it gave me nightmares for days.”
A person might say, “I went to a haunted house last night and it was creep-tastic!”
Another might comment, “The abandoned building had a creep-tastic atmosphere that sent chills down my spine.”

27. Frightening

This word is used to describe something that causes fear or terror. It is often used to describe things that are disturbing or unsettling.

For instance, “The horror movie was so frightening that I couldn’t sleep.”
A person might say, “That haunted house was absolutely frightening.”
Another might comment, “The news report about the serial killer was really frightening.”

28. Creepifying

This term is used to describe the act of making something more creepy or disturbing. It is often used to describe the process of adding elements or characteristics to something to make it more unsettling.

For example, “The artist creepified the painting by adding eerie shadows.”
A person might say, “The haunted house was creepified with animatronic monsters.”
Another might comment, “The director did a great job creepifying the horror movie with suspenseful music.”

29. Shudder-inducing

This term is used to describe something that causes a physical or emotional reaction of discomfort or unease. It implies that something is so disturbing that it elicits a shudder or involuntary reaction from the person experiencing it.

For instance, “The graphic crime scene photos were shudder-inducing.”
A person might say, “The horror movie had several shudder-inducing moments.”
Another might comment, “The haunted house had a room filled with shudder-inducing props and effects.”

30. Skin-crawling

This term is used to describe something that is so disturbing or unsettling that it causes a physical sensation of insects crawling on the skin. It implies a strong feeling of discomfort or revulsion.

For example, “The documentary about parasites was so skin-crawling.”
A person might say, “The horror novel had a particularly skin-crawling chapter.”
Another might comment, “The haunted attraction had a room with realistic spiders that was absolutely skin-crawling.”

31. Bloodcurdling

This term is used to describe something that is extremely frightening or chilling. It refers to a feeling that makes one’s blood run cold.

For example, “The bloodcurdling scream echoed through the haunted house.”
A horror movie fan might say, “That scene was so bloodcurdling, I couldn’t sleep for days.”
If someone tells a spine-tingling ghost story, you might respond, “That’s a bloodcurdling tale!”

32. Ghastly

This word is used to describe something that is extremely unpleasant, shocking, or horrifying.

For instance, “The crime scene was ghastly, with blood splattered everywhere.”
If someone sees a disturbing image, they might say, “That’s a ghastly sight.”
A person might describe a nightmare as “a ghastly dream that felt too real.”

33. Gory

This term is used to describe something that is excessively bloody, violent, or graphic in nature.

For example, “The horror movie had plenty of gory scenes that made me cover my eyes.”
A fan of true crime might say, “I’m fascinated by gory details of crime scenes.”
If someone sees a graphic image, they might exclaim, “That’s too gory for me!”

34. Repulsive

This word is used to describe something that causes a strong feeling of disgust or aversion.

For instance, “The smell coming from the dumpster was repulsive.”
If someone sees something that is visually disturbing, they might say, “That’s repulsive!”
A person might describe a gross food item as “repulsive and inedible.”

35. Culty

This slang term is used to describe something or someone that is strange, unsettling, or gives off an eerie vibe. It is often associated with cult-like behavior or beliefs.

For example, “That abandoned house gives me a culty feeling.”
If someone encounters a person with odd behavior, they might say, “He’s acting really culty.”
A person might describe a mysterious organization as “cult-like and culty.”

36. Nerve-racking

This term is used to describe something that causes extreme stress or anxiety. It refers to a situation or experience that is mentally or emotionally disturbing.

For example, “Waiting for the test results was nerve-racking.”
A person might say, “I find public speaking to be nerve-racking.”
In a discussion about horror movies, someone might comment, “The suspense in that film was so nerve-racking.”