disturbing environment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disturbing environment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a setting or situation that causes discomfort, anxiety, or distress. Example: "The disturbing environment of the abandoned building made it clear that no one had been there for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A noisy disturbing environment will be a big turn-down, especially at the first meeting.

WikiHow

As opposed to Dexter's "disturbing" environment, Tirone tried to give Rita's home a "warmer, safer, happier place" with "a dark side to it," doing so by letting more light come through the windows.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Although disturbing environments are a long-established problem, efforts are currently being made to encourage the reduction of noise levels and interruptions in hospitals.

BMC Health Services Research

The complaint filed on Tuesday, however, paints a picture of a disturbing workplace environment at Hyperloop, which is one of several companies vying to create a supersonic transport system that could propel pods at high speeds through a tube in a 30-minute trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

The Guardian - Tech

The high sensitivity of this experimental technique led to the observation of hyperfine shifts in the ESR spectra caused by the chemically inert but physically disturbing helium environment: shifts of the well-known hyperfine structure constants of Rb and Rb were detected as a function of the droplet size.

ChemPhysChem

But the noise created by air guns has been implicated in disturbing marine environments, and even causing the deaths of some marine mammals.

Science Magazine

From the moment you walk into the theatre, you have the sense that you're in a disturbing fun-house environment.

The New Yorker

Results indicated that two-factor solution is most appropriate; sleep disturbing behavior and environment (B/E) and irregular sleep-wake schedule.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Considering the characteristics of the items loaded on each factor, factor 1 was labeled as 'sleep disturbing behavior and environment (B/E)' (e.g., I use alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine within 4 hours of going to bed or after going to bed) and factor 2 as 'irregular sleep-wake schedule' (e.g., I get out of bed at different times from day to day).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

In these environments, disturbing background noises, such as wind and interference from other birds, is typically present and often distorts the recorded signal substantially.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Her camera, now in the role of voyeur, keeps its distance, focusing on the disturbing nature of the environment.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the specific qualities of a "disturbing environment", provide concrete details about what makes it unsettling, such as sensory elements (e.g. smells, sounds) or social dynamics (e.g. tense interactions).

Common error

Avoid using "disturbing environment" as a generic descriptor without specifying the exact reasons for the disturbance. Instead, offer precise descriptions that illustrate the unsettling nature of the environment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disturbing environment" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase, where 'disturbing' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'environment'. Ludwig examples demonstrate this use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disturbing environment" is a valid and commonly used descriptor, highlighting settings that evoke unease or anxiety. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase appears in a variety of contexts, from news reports to scientific research. While it is grammatically correct, it's advisable to use it with specific details to effectively convey the disturbing nature of the environment in question. Alternatives like "unsettling environment" or "troubling environment" can be used to add nuance to the description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsettling environment

Emphasizes the feeling of unease or anxiety created by the surroundings.

troubling environment

Highlights the problematic or worrying aspects of the environment.

alarming environment

Focuses on the potential danger or threat associated with the environment.

distressing environment

Indicates that the environment causes emotional pain or suffering.

threatening environment

Highlights the potential for harm or intimidation within the environment.

hostile environment

Suggests an antagonistic or unfriendly atmosphere.

oppressive environment

Emphasizes the feeling of being weighed down or controlled by the environment.

toxic environment

Implies that the environment is harmful, either physically or emotionally.

chaotic environment

Highlights the disorganised and unpredictable nature of the surroundings.

unhealthy environment

Focuses on the aspects of the environment that may contribute to physical or mental illness.

FAQs

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

You can use "disturbing environment" to describe a physical space or a situation that causes unease. For example, "The abandoned house presented a truly disturbing environment" or "The office had become a disturbing environment due to constant conflicts."

What can I say instead of "disturbing environment"?

You can use alternatives like "unsettling environment", "troubling environment", or "alarming environment" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "disturbing environment" a formal or informal expression?

"Disturbing environment" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and subject matter. It is suitable for news reports, academic papers, and casual conversations alike.

What are some common elements that create a "disturbing environment"?

Elements that contribute to a "disturbing environment" often include isolation, decay, signs of violence, unexplained sounds, oppressive atmospheres or lack of safety. It heavily depends on the context.