induce unease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "induce unease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation, action, or feeling that causes discomfort or anxiety in someone. Example: "The eerie silence in the abandoned house seemed to induce unease among the visitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There are popping sounds of gunfire at night in the Central City and St. Roch neighborhoods flanking downtown — not as often as before, but enough to induce unease.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Whenever a big-name chef sets out along Gary Rhodes Avenue, the chasm between his histrionic passion for bespoke cooking and the hard realities of off-the-peg mass catering induces unease.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Parodoxically, although theatrical nudity is now far from being a legal or social taboo, it still induces unease in an audience because of the exposure of actors to voyeuristic scrutiny and the uncertainty, at least for this man in the stalls, over whether the male gaze should be averted or maintained in such situations.

The Guardian

My unease induced a kind of militant genetic throwback from a guy who in a genuinely good bloke.

Huffington Post

Though there is a ton of goodness here, the state of limbo induced by the unease of uncertainty has wreaked havoc on my mind.

Huffington Post

French's drawings induce feelings of tenderness and unease, body horror mixed with pathos.

The Guardian - Books

There is great and growing unease in parts of the psychology and psychiatry professions that too many practitioners have become trigger happy – too quick to prescribe mood-altering drugs to patients only going though life events, ranging from bereavement to divorce, which are naturally anxiety inducing.

The Guardian - Opinion

These are not the cause of their unease, however.

The New Yorker

Other factors have compounded the markets' unease.

The New York Times

The same people who voted for you also seem to have made a new sport out of discussing the little things that have somehow come to define you: every cringe-inducing non-statement you make, your fish out of water expression, your sheer unease in your new public role.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not unease.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "induce unease" when you want to specifically highlight that something is causing a subtle but persistent feeling of anxiety or discomfort, rather than a strong or immediate reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "induce unease" when a more direct verb like "frighten", "worry", or "disturb" would be more impactful and precise. Using "induce unease" too often can make your writing sound passive and less engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "induce unease" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of causing a feeling of discomfort or anxiety. Ludwig AI shows that it's used to describe scenarios or elements that prompt a sense of disquiet.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "induce unease" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the act of causing a feeling of discomfort or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, noting its presence in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Books. While the phrase isn't the most frequently used, it has a definite purpose in language: to highlight the cause of a subtle sense of disquiet. For alternative expressions, consider "provoke anxiety", "generate discomfort" or "trigger unease".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trigger unease

Implies a sudden onset of unease, often in response to a specific stimulus.

provoke anxiety

Focuses more on the feeling of anxiety rather than a general sense of unease.

generate discomfort

Highlights the feeling of discomfort rather than a deeper sense of unease or worry.

spark disquiet

Similar to trigger, but emphasizes a more subtle or underlying disturbance.

foster apprehension

Emphasizes a sense of anticipated fear or worry.

create disquiet

Stresses a loss of peace or tranquility, focusing on the disturbance caused.

breed anxiety

Suggests a gradual growth or development of anxiety over time.

instill worry

Suggests a gradual implantation of concern or anxiety.

arouse concern

Highlights the raising of a specific worry or apprehension.

prompt worry

Focuses on causing someone to begin feeling worried or concerned.

FAQs

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

You can use "induce unease" to describe something that causes a feeling of discomfort or anxiety. For instance, "The sudden silence seemed to "induce unease" among the crowd."

What's a synonym for "induce unease"?

Alternatives to "induce unease" include "provoke anxiety", "generate discomfort", or "trigger unease", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "cause unease" or "induce unease"?

"Cause unease" is a more direct and common way to express that something is creating a feeling of unease. "Induce unease" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the process of causing that feeling. The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

How does "induce unease" differ from "cause anxiety"?

"Induce unease" suggests a more subtle, general feeling of discomfort or disquiet. "Cause anxiety" implies a stronger, more specific state of worry or nervousness. "Induce unease" is often used for situations that create a vague sense of foreboding, while "cause anxiety" is used when something elicits direct fear or stress.