provoke unease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provoke unease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes discomfort or anxiety in a person or group. Example: "The film's unsettling imagery is designed to provoke unease among its viewers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today, a libertine lifestyle still provokes unease.

The New York Times

But this glut of consoling fare is provoking unease in some quarters.

The Guardian

Arriving unarmed, the man brings with him no obvious aura of violence, but nonetheless he provokes unease.

The New York Times - Books

– that provokes unease, even outrage, and keeps many pot-using parents uncertain about how to navigate the "new normal" of legalised marijuana.

Independent

This contributed to a long stretch of economic growth, but has also provoked unease about jobs, wages, public services and terrorism.

The Economist

Yet his decision marks an escalation of American involvement, and it has provoked unease that the United States will shuffle into yet another dreadful Middle East war.

The New Yorker

This brilliant movie may not tell Rumsfeld's critics anything new, but, as a revelation of the way that a powerful man, convinced of his own rationality, can cause so much damage, it still provokes unease.

The New Yorker

Evil has a certain allure at the best of times, but we're all so conditioned to it coming in the form of sweaty men with flakes of eczema falling on to their grubby easy-iron slacks – in police dramas, anyway – that his attractiveness provokes unease, setting the tone for the rest of the drama.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Ipso's decision to uphold a complaint by the duchess in September, on the grounds that a photograph of George riding a police motorbike breached his privacy, also provoked unease that the couple were seeking unprecedented levels of control over their image.

The Guardian

Machine translation – the use of computers to translate automatically among human languages – is an alluring prospect, one that for more than 50 years has fascinated researchers, inspired idealists and opportunists, and provoked unease among professional translators.

Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics

These are all approaches adopted by other public services such as prisons, local government and the police when faced with similar funding challenges over the past decade – though they would clearly provoke public unease and ministerial anxiety if applied to the NHS.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a formal or serious tone, "provoke unease" can be more suitable than using more casual alternatives like "make someone uncomfortable". This phrase clearly indicates a deliberate or consequential instigation of unease.

Common error

Avoid using "provoke unease" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Simpler phrases like "make someone uncomfortable" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provoke unease" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating an action (provoking) that results in a state of feeling (unease). It describes the act of causing someone to feel uneasy or disquieted. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provoke unease" describes causing a feeling of discomfort or anxiety. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that while grammatically correct, it currently lacks sufficient examples for robust frequency analysis. Its register is primarily neutral to formal, making it suitable for news, media, and professional contexts. The most appropriate alternatives include phrases like "arouse discomfort" and "generate disquiet". Understanding its nuances helps writers use it effectively in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arouse discomfort

Focuses on physical or emotional discomfort rather than a specific feeling of unease.

generate disquiet

Emphasizes a disturbance of peace and quiet, rather than specific unease.

inspire disquiet

Implies a less forceful creation of unease.

instill apprehension

Implies a stronger sense of fear or anxiety is being created.

create anxiety

Highlights the creation of anxiety, a more intense emotion than unease.

foster discomposure

Focuses on a loss of composure or calmness, rather than a direct feeling of unease.

stir up anxiety

Suggests a more active process of causing anxiety.

trigger anxiety

Highlights the triggering of pre-existing anxiety.

breed concern

Implies the creation of worry or apprehension over time.

elicit misgivings

Focuses on doubts or hesitations rather than a general feeling of unease.

FAQs

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

You can use "provoke unease" to describe something that causes a feeling of discomfort or anxiety. For example: "The strange music in the film was intended to provoke unease among the audience."

What are some alternatives to "provoke unease"?

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

Is "provoke unease" formal or informal?

"Provoke unease" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "make someone uncomfortable" might be more suitable.

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

"Provoke unease" suggests a general feeling of discomfort or disquiet, while "cause anxiety" implies a more specific and intense emotional response. "Provoke unease" might be used for subtle disturbances, whereas causing anxiety would be reserved for situations leading to significant worry or fear.