lurking feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lurking feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an emotion or sensation that is present but not fully acknowledged or expressed, often suggesting a sense of unease or anticipation. Example: "As she walked through the empty house, a lurking feeling of dread settled in her stomach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Soon enough, a lurking feeling — part claustrophobia, part genuine disconnect — sneaked up on them.

The New York Times

That lurking feeling that's been part of using the service for the past couple of years — that what we have isn't going to last — is finally going to come true, both in the product and the structure of Twitter as a company.

The New Yorker

"We drown ourselves because we can't let them go, but it makes them impossible to use later," says Chris, adding that one of the things mentioned by the parents he and Daniel spoke to was having "this lurking feeling, like we wish we could do more with the photos, that usually manifests when they get a coupon for a photo book.

TechCrunch

With Facebook, on the one hand it offers sincere interactions with friends, but there's always this lurking feeling that other stuff is going on.

Vice

The lines gather together like licks from a gold dog's stinking mouth, surrounded with a lurking feeling you don't require naming.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Over the next two days of hiking I began to realize that beneath all my mood swings, depression, loneliness and addictive behavior lurked that feeling of deep personal deficiency.

Huffington Post

There is always an adolescent lurking inside us, feeling the pull of instant gratification and too easily ignoring the long-run effects of our decisions.

The New York Times

At once we get the background and setting, the sense of lurking danger, the feeling that Pemberton is a brute who will have his way with those beneath him in the pecking order.

The Guardian - Books

To try to keep the lurking majority from feeling overwhelmed, I make sure to give students periodic tips on navigating the message board so that they get what they want out of the course.

Science Magazine

Sometimes fear makes itself known immediately, clearly, and other times its more difficult to name the cause of those anxious feelings lurking in the back of your mind.

WikiHow

And so it was that night, when, seized by a gut feeling of lurking danger, he slid a trench coat over his slight frame — and tucked an assault rifle inside it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lurking feeling" to describe an emotion that is subtly present but not openly expressed or acknowledged. It often implies a sense of unease or anticipation of something negative.

Common error

Avoid using "lurking feeling" in overly casual or informal situations where a simpler term like "unease" or "worry" would suffice. The phrase carries a slightly more dramatic connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lurking feeling" functions as a noun phrase, where 'lurking' acts as an adjective modifying 'feeling'. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable. The phrase identifies and characterizes a specific type of emotion or sensation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

20%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lurking feeling" describes an emotion that is subtly present but not openly acknowledged, often conveying unease. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While relatively rare, it's primarily found in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases include "underlying unease" and "nagging suspicion". When using the phrase, be mindful of its slightly dramatic tone and avoid overuse in casual settings. The phrase effectively describes a subtle, often negative, emotion that is present but not necessarily acknowledged and, based on evidence, is correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underlying unease

Focuses on the subtle and not immediately obvious nature of the feeling.

nagging suspicion

Highlights the persistent and bothersome quality of the feeling.

hidden anxiety

Emphasizes the concealed and worrisome aspect of the feeling.

lingering dread

Indicates a feeling of fear or apprehension that remains present over time.

creeping unease

Suggests a gradual and subtle onset of discomfort or anxiety.

subtle apprehension

Highlights the understated and barely noticeable nature of the feeling.

unseen threat

Focuses on the implied danger that is not immediately visible or apparent.

impending doom

Suggests that a negative event or outcome is inevitable and approaching.

growing disquiet

Emphasizes the increasing intensity and disturbance of the feeling.

vague foreboding

Implies a sense of impending negative events with an uncertain cause.

FAQs

How can I use "lurking feeling" in a sentence?

You can use "lurking feeling" to describe a subtle, often negative, emotion that is present but not necessarily acknowledged. For example, "Despite the success, a lurking feeling of doubt remained."

What's a good substitute for "lurking feeling"?

Alternatives include "underlying unease", "nagging suspicion", or "hidden anxiety", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "lurking" imply in the phrase "lurking feeling"?

"Lurking" suggests that the feeling is present in the background, perhaps unnoticed or unacknowledged, but still exerting an influence. It implies a sense of something hidden or waiting to emerge.

Is "lurking feeling" the same as "looming feeling"?

While both suggest a negative emotion, "lurking feeling" implies a hidden or subtle presence, whereas "looming feeling" suggests something is imminent and threatening.