mildly perturbed

USAGE SUMMARY

"mildly perturbed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a slight feeling of disturbance or unease. Example: "She felt mildly perturbed by the unexpected changes in the schedule." Alternative expressions include "slightly unsettled" and "somewhat disturbed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Yet here we are, looking out over chalky downs that roll comfortably away from us like a mildly perturbed sea.

The Guardian - Travel

Seakins will have to go". The Queen was mildly perturbed that Seakins had disappeared without saying goodbye, but people had come and gone all one's life.

The Guardian - Books

REBOUNDS Erik Spoelstra, who has been an ardent supporter of Manny Pacquiao, seemed mildly perturbed to learn that the boxer was rooting for the Celtics.

The New York Times

The video, first posted late Monday by CNN's DJ Judd, captured Gillibrand in the middle of speaking when people near the left edge of the frame suddenly started shifting around, some looking mildly perturbed.

The Washington Post

From his West Coast office, Mr. Neumark sounded only mildly perturbed at the prospect of being publicly demonized by Council members and labor leaders 3,000 miles away, though he took umbrage at being called biased.

The New York Times

Returning to consciousness after the minifacial, the scalp rub and a special prenatal massage, I was mildly perturbed to see that not only had my late arrival cut short my session, but it seemed to have ended an additional 10 minutes early as well.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

At high concentrations (20 50 μM) this action prevents the re-assembly of monomers into actin filaments and results in the complete abrogation of F-actin structures within 20 min (and ultimately in cell death)., However, when used at low concentrations (0.2 0.5 μM), the drug can be used as a tool to mildly perturb the ring and activate the cytokinesis monitoring system.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

The I167V substitution eliminates the Ile167 resonance and mildly perturbs Ile5.

eLife

These objects may have been perturbed onto their star-grazing orbits by the gravitational influence of a planet in a mildly eccentric orbit around Beta Pictoris at a distance of roughly 10 AU from the star.

Wikipedia

He sounds perturbed.

The New York Times

Wasswa is not perturbed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mildly perturbed" to convey a sense of slight disturbance or unease without implying strong emotion. This is especially useful in formal writing where understatement is preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "mildly perturbed" when the situation warrants a stronger term like "upset" or "distressed". Using "mildly perturbed" in such cases can diminish the gravity of the situation and come across as insincere or dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mildly perturbed" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being slightly disturbed or unsettled. It adds nuance by specifying the degree of disturbance. Ludwig AI demonstrates its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mildly perturbed" effectively communicates a state of slight disturbance or unease. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific writing. Its adjectival nature allows it to subtly modify a subject, indicating a tempered emotional response. While synonyms like "slightly bothered" or "a little uneasy" exist, "mildly perturbed" offers a more formal yet accessible tone, fitting for contexts where precision and understatement are valued. As Ludwig's analysis indicates, mastering its usage involves recognizing the nuances of emotional expression and choosing language that aligns with the intended tone and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly bothered

Indicates a small degree of annoyance or concern, similar to mildly perturbed but with a more casual tone.

somewhat agitated

Suggests a bit more restlessness or anxiety compared to "mildly perturbed".

a little uneasy

Implies a lack of comfort or security, focusing on the feeling of unease rather than disturbance.

faintly disturbed

Highlights a subtle disruption of peace or calmness.

gently unsettled

Emphasizes the smoothness and subtlety of the disturbance.

rather concerned

Shifts the focus to worry and apprehension, moving slightly away from pure disturbance.

passably worried

Indicates a moderate level of worry, where "passably" suggests it's not extreme.

a touch anxious

Similar to 'a little uneasy' but specifically points to anxiety.

minutely disquieted

Focuses on a minimal loss of peace or tranquility, with 'minutely' underscoring the small degree.

softly ruffled

Uses a metaphor of smoothing something that's been slightly disturbed, like feathers.

FAQs

How can I use "mildly perturbed" in a sentence?

"Mildly perturbed" is used to describe a state of slight unease or disturbance. For example, "She was "mildly perturbed" by the unexpected changes."

What's the difference between "mildly perturbed" and "slightly annoyed"?

"Mildly perturbed" suggests a more subtle disturbance than "slightly annoyed", which directly implies irritation. Perturbed is more formal and can relate to a wider range of concerns, while annoyance is specifically about irritation.

What are some synonyms for "mildly perturbed"?

Alternatives include "slightly bothered", "somewhat agitated", or "a little uneasy", each offering a slightly different nuance in expressing unease.

Is "mildly perturbed" formal or informal?

"Mildly perturbed" leans towards the formal side due to the word "perturbed", but it's still accessible and understandable in most contexts. It's suitable for professional or academic writing where a neutral tone is desired.