a disturbing impression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a disturbing impression" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling or perception that causes unease or discomfort, often in response to a situation or observation. Example: "After watching the documentary, I was left with a disturbing impression of the state of the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When the court began considering those accusations, she asserted in an affidavit that its scrutiny created "a disturbing impression that there is an inclination on the part of the court to silence criticism and muzzle dissent".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The cumulative effect of the slow rate of interaction for some participants in this study was to create the disturbing impression of a virtual void.

Health Research Policy and Systems

This disturbing impression of the literary pecking order is confirmed (swing five) by a suite of reviews which don't advance beyond the first or last six books of the Bible when you clock in at Book 41 (far be it from me to point out that it's the Gospel according to St Mark, and thus reasonably significant).

The Guardian

The disturbing impression is of time running backward, of civilization devolving.

The New York Times - Arts

That leaves the disturbing impression that the administration is trying to preserve the option of abusing the statute again.

The New York Times

These days in Madrid, one has the disturbing impression that for many prominent leftists, the enemy was the Popular Party, not terrorism.

The New York Times

At times, General Petraeus gives the disturbing impression that he, too, is more focused on the political game in Washington than the unfolding disaster in Iraq.

The New York Times

As the credits roll, "Ready to Rumble" runs the now-obligatory blooper reel, which is indistinguishable from what has come before and leaves the disturbing impression that Mr. Arquette may not have been acting at all.

The New York Times

It is this disturbing impression that we feel when we breathe life into non-humans.

Vice

My first impression was that it looked like a disturbing mechanical cat as imagined by HR Giger, with no face and an 8ft tail, waiting to be fed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Minimal background staining was seen in impression cytology smears while there was a disturbing background in corneal scrapings stained by the immunological methods.

BMC Ophthalmology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a disturbing impression" to describe feelings or perceptions that cause unease or discomfort after witnessing or experiencing something.

Common error

Avoid using "a disturbing impression" in overly casual or lighthearted contexts. It's better suited for serious or concerning situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a disturbing impression" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "disturbing" modifies the noun "impression". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, which describes a feeling or perception that causes unease or discomfort.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a disturbing impression" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a feeling of unease or discomfort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place in contexts like news and media, as well as scientific discourse. It's best used to convey serious concern, avoiding overly casual settings. Alternatives like "an unsettling feeling" or "a worrying sense" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis. When writing, using "a disturbing impression" can effectively communicate that a given experience has caused notable unease or discomfort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unsettling feeling

Focuses more on the internal emotional response rather than the external cause.

a worrying sense

Emphasizes the concern or anxiety associated with the perception.

a troubling perception

Highlights the problematic nature of the understanding or viewpoint formed.

a disquieting notion

Suggests that the idea or belief is the source of the unease.

a sinister vibe

Implies a sense of impending danger or evil.

a creepy atmosphere

Focuses on the environment or surroundings as the source of discomfort.

an alarming trend

Highlights the concerning direction or pattern of events.

a foreboding feeling

Suggests a sense of impending doom or misfortune.

a haunting image

Emphasizes the lasting and disturbing nature of a visual impression.

an ominous sign

Implies that something negative or dangerous is likely to occur.

FAQs

How can I use "a disturbing impression" in a sentence?

You can use "a disturbing impression" to describe a feeling or perception of unease after experiencing something, as in, "The film left "a disturbing impression" on me".

What's a more formal alternative to "a disturbing impression"?

A more formal alternative would be "a troubling perception" or "a disquieting notion", which maintains a similar meaning but with a slightly elevated tone.

When is it appropriate to use "a disturbing impression"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that something has caused you significant unease or discomfort, especially when describing reactions to serious or unsettling events.

What's the difference between "a disturbing impression" and "an unsettling feeling"?

"A disturbing impression" often relates to an external stimulus that causes unease, while "an unsettling feeling" may arise from internal or less defined sources.