escalating unease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "escalating unease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a growing feeling of discomfort or anxiety in a situation. Example: "As the deadline approached, there was an escalating unease among the team members about the project's progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Tara herself is caught between a sense of guilt that the young man may be her castoff nephew and an escalating unease about his insistent presence.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He pledged to improve the investment environment, amend the country's tax codes, and work to stabilize the ruble, whose value has crashed and risen since Soviet times — first evaporating many citizens' savings and recently spurring inflation and causing unease about escalating costs of living.

The New York Times

Similar indices for gold, oil and emerging-market shares have been just as effervescent.The recent unease escalated on October 7th when the International Monetary Fund lowered its world economic forecast for the third time this year.

The Economist

Her rough, untutored camerawork has an ugliness and urgency that only add to the escalating sense of chaos and unease.

The New York Times

Debate over the technology is escalating, putting the government in a bind.Public unease about genetic modification is common around the world.

The Economist

Well, it seems to be happening again, and for near-identical reasons, with an escalating situation in the Middle East and a failed administration fuelling creeping unease among Hollywood's controlling liberal elite - and perhaps even a touch of guilt for its own overreaction to 11 September and initial support of 2003's invasion of Iraq.

The Guardian - Opinion

The dispute keeps escalating.

The New York Times

"This has become routine and is escalating, escalating, escalating".

The New York Times

He'll escalate and keep escalating.

The New York Times

escalating red.

Huffington Post

Escalating Behavior.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "escalating unease" to describe situations where a sense of discomfort or anxiety is gradually increasing, rather than appearing suddenly.

Common error

While "escalating unease" is appropriate in certain contexts, avoid using it repeatedly within a short span of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "growing disquiet" or "mounting anxiety" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "escalating unease" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "escalating" modifies the noun "unease". It describes a growing or intensifying feeling of discomfort or anxiety. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "escalating unease" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes a gradual increase in anxiety or discomfort. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and provides real-world examples, primarily from news and media sources. While not exceptionally common, it's a versatile phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Related phrases like "growing disquiet" or "mounting anxiety" can be used as alternatives to avoid repetition. When using it, focus on describing a gradual increase, and avoid overuse to maintain clarity and reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing disquiet

Emphasizes a gradual increase in feelings of worry or apprehension.

mounting anxiety

Highlights the build-up of anxious feelings.

increasing apprehension

Focuses on a rising sense of fear or worry about the future.

heightening concern

Stresses the intensification of worry or interest.

intensifying worry

Highlights the increasing strength of anxious thoughts.

rising anxiety

A more direct alternative, simply indicating an increase in anxiety.

growing concern

Focuses on a general increase in concern or worry.

developing apprehension

Indicates a feeling of apprehension that is starting to form or grow.

intensified disquiet

Emphasizes the enhanced intensity of the feeling of disquiet.

building disquiet

Highlights the sensation of worry or anxiety that is steadily increasing.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "escalating unease" in a sentence?

Use "escalating unease" to describe a gradual increase in anxiety or discomfort regarding a specific situation or event. For example: "There was an escalating unease as the deadline drew closer."

What are some alternatives to "escalating unease"?

You can use alternatives like "growing disquiet", "mounting anxiety", or "increasing apprehension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "escalating unease" a formal or informal expression?

"Escalating unease" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly found in news reports and literature, making it a versatile phrase.

What's the difference between "escalating unease" and "sudden panic"?

"Escalating unease" refers to a gradual increase in worry or anxiety, while "sudden panic" describes an immediate and intense feeling of fear or terror. The former develops over time, while the latter arises abruptly.