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perturbed
/pərˈtɜːrbd/
anxious or unsettled
She seemed perturbed by the sudden noise outside.
She appeared worried or disturbed because of the unexpected sound.
formal
Anxious, unsettled, or disturbed in mind or emotions.
The manager was perturbed by the unexpected drop in sales.
The manager felt worried or troubled due to the sudden decline in sales.
He looked perturbed when he heard the news.
He appeared visibly upset or disturbed upon receiving the information.
Often implies a mild to moderate level of distress, not extreme panic. Commonly used in formal or literary contexts.
Collocations
deeply perturbedvery anxious or troubledseem perturbedappear anxious or unsettledbecome perturbedstart to feel anxious or disturbed
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'perturbed'
While 'perturbed' is a precise word, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Use 'worried' or 'bothered' in everyday speech unless you want to emphasize a formal or literary tone.
Gold Rule
Use 'perturbed' for mild to moderate distress
Reserve 'perturbed' for situations where someone feels unsettled or troubled, not for extreme panic or fear. It suggests a quieter, more internal disturbance.
Word Origin
From Latin *perturbare* (to disturb greatly), combining *per-* (thoroughly) + *turbare* (to agitate). Entered English in the 14th century through Old French *perturber*.
Usage Notes
Used to describe emotional states where someone feels mentally or emotionally disturbed, often due to unexpected events or news. More formal than 'worried' or 'upset' and less intense than 'alarmed'.
Word Breakdown
per-
thoroughly or completely
prefix-turb-
agitate or disturb
root-ed
past participle suffix
suffixEnglish Dictionary