generate unease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generate unease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing actions, situations, or statements that create feelings of discomfort or anxiety. Example: "The sudden change in leadership generated unease among the employees, leading to speculation about the company's future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This strategy, which works on the anxiety of the audience, is very much in vogue, and can be an effective way to generate unease.

The New York Times

The history of Western civilization amply shows the futility of efforts to suppress human curiosity and new scientific discoveries and insights that may challenge dogma and settled expectations or otherwise generate unease.

The New York Times

Such feelings generate unease, and unease is increased by Burke's prose.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Yet the bigger, more complicated changes are generating unease.

The Economist

The bill has generated unease even in Fallin's own party.

The Guardian

But, because the company tends to cater to affluent customers, who can afford, for instance, $4.99 per pound for organic spinach, new stores have been generating unease among residents, along with excitement over access to organic food.

The New Yorker

But the Fed's announcement on Wednesday that it would resume a strategy of buying Treasury securities to lower long-term interest rates has generated unease around the world.

The New York Times

From Pyongyang, not a squeak.Though hardly out of keeping for such a secretive, recalcitrant regime, the silence has generated unease, even embarrassment, among North Korea's counterparts in the six-party talks hosted by China, which, typically, described the hold-up as "natural".

The Economist

It has generated unease, due to its disruption of a coherent set of professional ethics.

Critical Public Health

But where Mr. Del Tredici does this to draw attention to the acrostic in his Lewis Carroll text, Mr. Carson keeps repeating the "K" of "Kyrie" to generate mounting unease and even to give a graphic illustration of the event that got him working, the 1992 attack on Rodney King.

The New York Times - Arts

The attacks were directed primarily at police and security forces, but they have generated unprecedented unease among ordinary Kazakhstanis.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generate unease" when you want to describe something that causes a subtle, often indefinable feeling of discomfort or anxiety. It is particularly effective when the source of the unease is not immediately apparent.

Common error

While "generate unease" is acceptable in a variety of contexts, overuse in highly formal or academic writing might make your language sound less precise. Consider more specific synonyms like "provoke anxiety" or "instill apprehension" to better convey the exact nuance you intend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generate unease" functions as a verb phrase, where "generate" is a transitive verb and "unease" is its direct object. It describes the action of creating or producing a feeling of discomfort or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generate unease" is a grammatically sound and usable verb phrase that describes the act of causing a feeling of discomfort or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently encountered in news and media contexts. While generally suitable for a variety of writing styles, it is important to consider more precise synonyms for highly formal contexts. The related phrases and writing guidance provided offer further insight into its use and potential alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create anxiety

Replaces "unease" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the feeling of anxiety.

breed anxiety

Similar to "create anxiety", but implies a gradual development of anxious feelings.

provoke discomfort

Substitutes "unease" with "discomfort", indicating a physical or mental lack of ease.

instill apprehension

Uses a more formal tone, with "apprehension" implying a fear of future events.

trigger disquiet

Suggests that something specific causes the disquiet.

foster disquiet

A slightly more literary alternative, with "disquiet" suggesting a lack of peace or tranquility.

foment unease

Implies actively stirring up or promoting feelings of unease.

cause perturbation

Employs "perturbation", which indicates a state of disturbance or agitation.

spark concern

Focuses on generating worry or solicitude.

arouse suspicion

Shifts the focus to creating a feeling of distrust or doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "generate unease" in a sentence?

You can use "generate unease" to describe situations or actions that cause a feeling of discomfort or anxiety. For example: "The speaker's ambiguous remarks generated unease among the audience."

What are some synonyms for "generate unease"?

Alternatives to "generate unease" include "create anxiety", "provoke discomfort", or "instill apprehension".

Is "generate unease" formal or informal?

"Generate unease" sits in a neutral to slightly formal register, suitable for news articles and general writing. For more formal writing, consider "foster disquiet" or "cause perturbation".

What's the difference between "generate unease" and "cause anxiety"?

"Generate unease" suggests a more subtle, less defined feeling of discomfort, while "cause anxiety" /s/cause+anxiety implies a stronger and more specific feeling of worry and apprehension.