Looks uneasy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Looks uneasy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who appears to be uncomfortable or anxious in a given situation. Example: "As she entered the room full of strangers, she looked uneasy, shifting her weight from one foot to the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Mrs. Kinsella looks uneasy.

The New Yorker

The PR who has arranged my visit looks uneasy.

Independent

Outside Corbieres Wine Cavern, a bar Burgess used to frequent in the 80s, he looks uneasy.

The Guardian - Music

Even AL MVP Mike Trout looks uneasy in the batters box.

The Guardian - Sport

Kerouac looks uneasy, but this interview quickly departs from realism and turns into something moodier and almost dreamlike.

The New York Times

The focus is fatally divided from the outset and Freida Pinto looks uneasy and miscast as Miral herself.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The priest looked uneasy.

The New Yorker

Styles still looked uneasy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dr. Blyer looked uneasy.

The New York Times

Again, Ryan looked uneasy.

The New Yorker

"We sure can, Lou, Kingg said, looking uneasy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's emotional state, use "looks uneasy" to subtly hint at underlying discomfort or anxiety without explicitly stating their feelings. It's often more impactful to show rather than tell.

Common error

Avoid stating the obvious. If a character is visibly shaking during a tense interrogation, stating they "look uneasy" is redundant. Instead, focus on unique details or internal thoughts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks uneasy" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase. It combines a linking verb ("looks") with an adjective ("uneasy") to attribute a state of being or appearance to a subject. Ludwig confirms this usage through various examples where "looks uneasy" describes the visual demeanor of individuals in different situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looks uneasy" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone who appears uncomfortable or anxious. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its wide acceptance and neutrality in tone. While direct, it subtly conveys emotional states, enhancing descriptions without explicitly stating feelings. When using "looks uneasy", consider the context to avoid redundancy and ensure the description adds value. Alternatives such as ""seems anxious"" or ""appears uncomfortable"" can provide slightly different nuances, depending on the specific emotion you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Appears uncomfortable

Replaces "looks" with "appears" and "uneasy" with "uncomfortable", focusing on physical discomfort.

Seems anxious

Substitutes "looks" with "seems" and "uneasy" with "anxious", emphasizing emotional anxiety.

Appears apprehensive

Replaces "looks" with "appears" and "uneasy" with "apprehensive", suggesting a feeling of dread or worry about the future.

Seemed ill at ease

Replaces "looks" with "seemed" and "uneasy" with "ill at ease", an idiom that captures the essence of discomfort in a social setting.

Looked disturbed

Uses "disturbed" instead of "uneasy", conveying a sense of internal turmoil or agitation.

Looked out of sorts

Employs the idiom "out of sorts" instead of "uneasy", indicating a general feeling of being unwell or unhappy.

Seemed to be on edge

Replaces "looks uneasy" with "seemed to be on edge", highlighting nervousness and tension.

Appeared to be disquieted

Uses more formal language, replacing "looks" with "appeared" and "uneasy" with "disquieted", suggesting a loss of peace and tranquility.

Looked a bit edgy

Uses "edgy" instead of "uneasy", conveying a sense of nervousness or irritability.

Seemed to have butterflies in their stomach

Uses a more metaphorical expression to convey nervousness or anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "Looks uneasy" in a sentence?

"Looks uneasy" is used to describe someone's appearance when they seem uncomfortable or anxious. For example, "The witness "looked uneasy" as the lawyer questioned them."

What are some alternatives to "Looks uneasy"?

Alternatives include "seems anxious", "appears uncomfortable", or "seemed ill at ease" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "Looks uneasy"?

While generally acceptable, avoid using "Looks uneasy" if it states the obvious. For instance, describing someone facing a life-threatening situation as "looking uneasy" might be an understatement. In such cases, stronger language may be more appropriate.

What does it mean when someone "Looks uneasy"?

When someone "Looks uneasy", it suggests they are experiencing discomfort, anxiety, or nervousness. The degree can vary from mild apprehension to significant distress. Consider the context to determine the specific implication.