Disturbed describes something or someone that has been upset, troubled, or thrown out of balance. When you feel disturbed by a scary story, it means the story unsettled you or made you uneasy. When your sleep is disturbed by noises outside, something interrupted your rest and peace.

The word suggests a disruption of normal calm or order. A lake's surface might be disturbed by ripples when you throw in a stone. Your concentration might be disturbed when your little brother keeps asking questions while you're trying to read.

When describing a person, disturbed can mean emotionally troubled or mentally unwell. A disturbed person might struggle with serious problems that affect how they think or behave. This is a serious meaning, not to be used lightly or as a casual insult.

The related word disturbing describes something that causes worry or discomfort. A disturbing scene in a movie might show something frightening or sad. Disturbing news makes you feel concerned or troubled. It captures that feeling when something disrupts your peace of mind: not quite fear, but definitely unease, like discovering your best friend has been saying unkind things behind your back.