a wave of nausea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave of nausea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and intense feeling of sickness or discomfort in the stomach. Example: "After eating the spoiled food, I was hit by a wave of nausea that made it difficult to stand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

A wave of nausea washed over Massari.

The New York Times - Magazine

For weeks that image overtook me like a wave of nausea, a persistent flu.

The New York Times

It built inside me, a wave of nausea and dread, and I couldn't stand it.

The Guardian - Opinion

The cab lurched, and a wave of nausea seized the CEO.

Harvard Business Review

Sitting alone on my bunk in the darkness, I felt a wave of nausea approaching.

The New York Times

Jarred out of her sleep by a wave of nausea that hit her 82-pound frame, Loroupe was horrified.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

They're not your regular earth shattering-shit-your-bowels-out of-a-ringpiece-that-feels-like-its-been soaked-in-stinging-nettles- for-a-week-every-five-minutes- accompanied-by-waves-of-nausea- that-make-you-feel like-you're-lost-at-sea- with-involuntary-sweating saline-fear-from- unwashed-pores hangovers.

Vice

As your mind wanders to a nice, hearty fry up, your gag-reflex may well kick in as a new wave of nausea engulfs you.

Independent

But a special wave of nausea swept over me when I read more about this former hedge-fund manager turned biotech venture capitalist.

Huffington Post

They almost hit a deer and she saw a meteor in the sky right before an intense wave of nausea and chills hit her.

The New Yorker

I was about to speak when an intense wave of nausea surged through me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wave of nausea" to vividly describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of sickness, particularly when emphasizing the intensity and unexpectedness of the sensation.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of nausea" when describing general discomfort or anxiety without the specific sensation of stomach sickness. Instead, opt for terms like "unease" or "apprehension" if physical nausea is not present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of nausea" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in written English. It describes a physical sensation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a wave of nausea" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe a sudden, intense feeling of sickness. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and utility. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While alternatives like "a surge of sickness" or "a bout of queasiness" exist, "a wave of nausea" effectively communicates the overwhelming and abrupt nature of the experience. When using this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects a physical sensation of sickness rather than general discomfort or anxiety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of sickness

Replaces "nausea" with "sickness" and "wave" with "surge", emphasizing the sudden onset.

an attack of sickness

Replaces 'wave' with 'attack' to emphasize the sudden and forceful nature of the nausea.

a bout of queasiness

Substitutes "nausea" with "queasiness" and "wave" with "bout", softening the intensity.

a pang of nausea

Uses "pang" to describe a sudden, sharp feeling of nausea, indicating a shorter duration.

a queasy feeling

A more general term for feeling unwell, indicating a mild form of nausea.

a sinking feeling

Emphasizes the feeling of unease and physical discomfort in the stomach.

a feeling of revulsion

Shifts the focus to the emotional aspect of disgust, rather than physical sickness.

a touch of seasickness

Implies motion-induced nausea, relating it to a specific cause.

a crawling sensation in the stomach

Describes the physical feeling associated with nausea in a more descriptive way.

a dizzy spell

Focuses on dizziness as a symptom that may accompany nausea.

FAQs

How can I use "a wave of nausea" in a sentence?

You can use "a wave of nausea" to describe a sudden and intense feeling of sickness. For example, "The smell of the spoiled milk caused "a wave of nausea" to wash over me."

What can I say instead of "a wave of nausea"?

You can use alternatives like "a surge of sickness", "a bout of queasiness", or "a pang of nausea" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a wave of nausea" or "a feeling of nausea"?

Both phrases are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "A wave of nausea" highlights the sudden and overwhelming nature of the sensation, while "a feeling of nausea" is a more general description.

What's the difference between "a wave of nausea" and "seasickness"?

"A wave of nausea" describes the sensation of feeling sick, while "seasickness" refers to the specific type of nausea caused by motion, particularly on a boat.