a disturbing response

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a disturbing response" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reaction or reply that causes discomfort or unease. Example: "The survey results revealed a disturbing response from participants regarding their mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Unwilling to forfeit the feature deemed necessary to persuading insurance companies to continue to reimburse for the high cost of the drug, Purdue formulated a disturbing response.

Huffington Post

–Whoever is in charge of the Hamtramck, Michigan, Police Department's Facebook page had a disturbing response to Mediaite editor-in-chief Andrew Kirell (a friend of mine) when Kirell asked why the force's brand-new military vehicle was necessary.

Vice

WASHINGTON ― Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) had a disturbing response Thursday to a reporter for who asked if he supports Obamacare's "essential health benefits," which require insurers to cover basic services like maternity care and prescriptions.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

My dad told me about a particularly disturbing response to one of his FOIA requests in a DC hotel room after the hearing.

Vice

However, another study showed that the 1063A>G SNP, disturbing response to LPS, was correlated with an increase in the vaginal pH and levels of Gardnerella vaginalis and anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria [ 62].

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

In the deeply disturbing response to her piece, Ioffe said she sees a frightening future of what freedom of the press – and the country – might look like under President Trump.

The Guardian

Disturbance is scored from 0 (Not at all disturbing) to 4 (Extremely disturbing); responses for the individual behaviours are summed to give a total Disturbance score between 0 and 116 [ 24].

BMC Geriatrics

E.M.D.R. therapy is successfully used to process and alleviate these disturbing responses.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, such systems require active monitoring, and researchers will need to be alert for rare but disturbing responses from people who may be at immediate risk of harm to themselves.

BMC Psychiatry

Such a practice has the potential to lead to a disturbing false-positive response rate because the effectiveness of treatment is based on the resolution of postoperative changes and not the effects of treatment.

BMC Cancer

A group of state senators and an assemblywoman had called for the audit in response to a disturbing report released last month in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands in Japan.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a disturbing response", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being responded to and why the response is disturbing. Specificity enhances the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "a disturbing response" merely as a dramatic embellishment. Ensure the response genuinely evokes unease, fear, or significant concern; otherwise, opt for a more accurate descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a disturbing response" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "disturbing" modifies the noun "response". It describes a response characterized by causing unease or anxiety. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a disturbing response" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as validated by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase, describing a reaction that causes unease or anxiety. While not exceedingly common, it appears consistently in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific publications. Alternative phrases, such as "a worrying reaction" or "a troubling reply", offer nuanced ways to convey similar sentiments. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly justifies the use of "disturbing" to avoid exaggeration and maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a worrying reaction

Replaces "disturbing" with "worrying", shifting the focus to concern rather than unease.

a worrying reply

Similar to "a worrying reaction", but uses "reply" to denote a more direct communication.

a troubling reply

Substitutes "disturbing" with "troubling", suggesting the response causes distress or difficulty.

an unsettling answer

Replaces "disturbing" with "unsettling" and "response" with "answer", emphasizing a feeling of unease.

a disconcerting reaction

Uses "disconcerting" instead of "disturbing", highlighting the response's unsettling nature.

a concerning answer

Replaces "disturbing" with "concerning", focusing on the response's potential implications.

an alarming answer

Emphasizes the severity of the response with "alarming", suggesting a cause for immediate concern.

a dreadful reaction

Replaces "disturbing" with "dreadful", highlighting the negative impact the response has.

an unpleasant reply

Shifts focus to the negative emotional experience caused by the response, using milder language.

a sinister response

Suggests the response is indicative of something evil or harmful, increasing the intensity.

FAQs

How can "a disturbing response" be used effectively in writing?

Use "a disturbing response" to highlight a reaction that elicits unease or concern. For instance, "The survey results revealed "a disturbing response" from participants regarding their mental health."

What are some alternatives to "a disturbing response"?

You can use alternatives like "a worrying reaction", "a troubling reply", or "an unsettling answer" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What makes a response qualify as "disturbing"?

A disturbing response is one that causes significant unease, anxiety, or discomfort due to its content or implications. It often hints at deeper problems or raises ethical concerns.

Is "a disturbing response" formal or informal language?

"A disturbing response" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter. In academic or professional settings, it conveys seriousness, while in informal settings, it can express a strong negative reaction.