heightened unease

USAGE SUMMARY

"heightened unease" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an increased feeling of discomfort or anxiety in various contexts. For example: "The news of the impending storm created a heightened unease among the residents." Alternative expressions include "increased anxiety" and "amplified discomfort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Rare remarks delivered this week by the secretive, high-ranking Iranian commander coordinating the fight within Iraq against the Islamic State have highlighted Iran's role in the military campaign against the terror group — and heightened unease about the authority being exercised by a person US officials accuse of leading a covert war against its interests.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Emerging research on the effects of raised cortisol levels have further heightened parental unease about this subject.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This cultural context heightened my unease about the show's aesthetic: "Dirty John" plays like a thriller.

The New Yorker

Joseph Borrelli, the head of the homicide unit for Queens, and peppered with allusions to vampires and monsters, heightened the unease by warning that he would strike again.

The New York Times

If the word "saffron" made me feel somewhat ill-disposed to this recipe, seeing the words "olive oil" only heightened my unease.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Howard used an interview with the Seven Network on Sunday night to reflect on the major public policy controversies of his prime ministership; ignite a fresh debate about multiculturalism at a time of heightened community unease after last week's counter-terrorism raids; and also question his former treasurer's 'ticker'ticker

The Guardian

Comments from the Pentagon's top military officer on Wednesday that U.S. ground troops may be needed in some circumstances only heightened the unease of many lawmakers opposed to overseas combat in the aftermath of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Los Angeles Times

These partygoers, trailing red food coloring along the walls of my home and half-blind in their pound-shop werewolf masks, would be utterly swept away in a totally immersive, terrifying crescendo of ever heightening audio unease until suddenly...bam!

Vice

These partygoers, trailing red food colouring along the walls of my home and half-blind in their pound-shop werewolf masks, would be utterly swept away in a totally immersive, terrifying crescendo of ever heightening audio unease until suddenly...bam!

Vice

This heightened the sense of unease and suspicion yet further.

Independent

This unease has heightened considerably since last June when Sheila suffered a brain haemorrhage and was seriously ill in hospital for weeks.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heightened unease" to describe situations where a pre-existing sense of unease has noticeably increased. This emphasizes a change in the intensity of the feeling, rather than the introduction of a new feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "heightened unease" in situations where a simple "worry" or "anxiety" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound melodramatic or forced. Reserve it for scenarios where the increase in unease is significant and noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heightened unease" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "heightened" modifies the noun "unease". It describes a state of increased discomfort or anxiety. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heightened unease" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an intensification of a feeling of discomfort or anxiety. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its usage is relatively rare. It's commonly found in news and media contexts to convey a growing sense of worry or disquiet. When using this phrase, consider whether simpler alternatives might be more appropriate to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Related phrases include "increased anxiety" and "mounting unease".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mounting unease

Emphasizes the build-up of a feeling of discomfort or anxiety

increased anxiety

Focuses specifically on anxiety as the emotion being intensified.

magnified anxiety

Indicates that the anxiety has been made larger or more significant.

amplified apprehension

Emphasizes a stronger sense of foreboding and worry.

escalating apprehension

Suggests a gradual increase in worry, often towards a critical point

intensified disquiet

Highlights a growing sense of restlessness and disturbance.

growing disquietude

Implies that the feeling of anxiety is progressively getting more intense

elevated concern

Implies a more formal and measured increase in worry.

sharpened trepidation

Conveys a more acute and distinct sense of fear or alarm.

aggravated worry

Suggests that the worry has become worse or more burdensome.

FAQs

What does "heightened unease" mean?

The phrase "heightened unease" describes a state where a feeling of discomfort, anxiety, or worry has intensified or increased. It suggests that a pre-existing sense of unease has become more pronounced.

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

You might say, "The news of the company's financial troubles created a heightened unease among the employees". This indicates that the employees were already uneasy, but the news made them more so.

What are some synonyms for "heightened unease"?

Alternatives include "increased anxiety", "mounting unease", or "growing disquietude". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "heightened unease" formal or informal?

The phrase "heightened unease" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it might be more commonly found in news reports, articles, or professional documents where a nuanced description of emotions is required.