distinctly uneasy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinctly uneasy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a clear or strong feeling of discomfort or anxiety about a situation. Example: "As she entered the dark room, she felt distinctly uneasy, sensing that something was not right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Sleazy, queasy and distinctly uneasy.

The Guardian - Music

Here the reader feels distinctly uneasy.

The New York Times - Books

He obeyed, now feeling distinctly uneasy.

The New Yorker

Many philosophers are distinctly uneasy about the wider sense of logic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the foreign policy establishment seems distinctly uneasy about war with Iraq.

The New York Times

But so did our dog, which, under the circumstances, made me distinctly uneasy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

I also remember distinctly how uneasy I felt when swarms of humanitarians, journalists, and photographers would visit our camp regularly in search of a story.

Huffington Post

And unlike many photographers — Weston, Levitt, Mapplethorpe — she did not imbue her photographs with a distinctly personal lyricism; hers was the lyricism inherent in her uneasy collaboration with her subjects.

The New Yorker

"Jails, Hospitals and Hip-Hop" ends with a two-character piece, presenting Mr. Hoch as a rap star making an uneasy appearance on a talk show hosted by a distinctly David Letterman-like character (Jeff Peters).

The New York Times

But once these uneasy civilities are attended to, the Butcher's Boy is free to kill again, in his own distinctly cruel and inventive way.

The New York Times - Books

Why uneasy?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distinctly uneasy" to convey a noticeable and clear sense of discomfort or anxiety in a situation or about a person's state of mind. This phrase is effective when you want to emphasize the unambiguous nature of the feeling.

Common error

Avoid pairing "distinctly uneasy" with redundant adverbs (e.g., "very distinctly uneasy"). The phrase already implies a clear and noticeable feeling; adding more intensifiers can weaken the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinctly uneasy" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a subject to indicate a clear and noticeable feeling of discomfort or anxiety. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a perfectly acceptable and usable expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "distinctly uneasy" effectively communicates a clear sensation of discomfort or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When writing, use this phrase to convey a noticeable feeling, but avoid redundant intensifiers. Alternatives such as "clearly uncomfortable" or "noticeably anxious" can be used to provide similar meanings with slight differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly uncomfortable

Emphasizes the visible signs of discomfort more directly.

noticeably anxious

Focuses on the anxiety aspect, suggesting it's easily observed.

plainly apprehensive

Highlights a feeling of worry about the future.

markedly disturbed

Suggests a significant disruption of one's peace of mind.

visibly disquieted

Indicates that the person's unease is apparent to others.

decidedly unsettled

Emphasizes a lack of stability or peace.

unmistakably worried

Highlights the clarity and certainty of the worry.

patently ill at ease

Focuses on the lack of comfort and ease.

uncommonly nervous

Highlights the unusual degree of nervousness.

demonstrably concerned

Indicates that the concern is evident and can be shown.

FAQs

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

You can use "distinctly uneasy" to describe a clear feeling of discomfort or anxiety. For example: "He felt "distinctly uneasy" when he realized he was being followed".

What are some alternatives to "distinctly uneasy"?

Alternatives include "clearly uncomfortable", "noticeably anxious", or "plainly apprehensive". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "distinctly uneasy" or "very uneasy"?

"Distinctly uneasy" suggests a clearer and more noticeable feeling than "very uneasy". "Distinctly" implies that the feeling is easily perceived, making it a stronger and more precise choice.

What does "distinctly uneasy" imply about the situation or person?

It implies that the situation or person is experiencing a noticeable level of discomfort or anxiety, and that this feeling is easily apparent to others or to the individual experiencing it.