undercurrent of unease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undercurrent of unease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a subtle or underlying feeling of discomfort or anxiety in a situation or environment. Example: "Despite the cheerful atmosphere at the party, there was an undercurrent of unease that made some guests feel uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But there is a clear undercurrent of unease, and the statement was a sign of that.

The New York Times

Sure enough, everyone we met was gracious, though there was often an undercurrent of unease.

The New York Times - Magazine

As a result, the streets are calm, but there is an undercurrent of unease and confusion.

The New York Times

Petar Stoyanov, Bulgaria's gladiatorial president Odd relations Weak on terror Hope and fear More smiles ReprintsThe legacy still bears an undercurrent of unease.

The Economist

Beneath the pulsing energy on and around Franklin Avenue, there is an undercurrent of unease, suspicion and resentment from some longtime residents, a legacy of the riots.

The New York Times

But Mr. Brown said that if not animus, there was probably something else tied to the undercurrent of unease everywhere, even in this distant, peaceful place.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In the same vein, the NPR pop critic Ann Powers wrote last month about listening to Nico & Vinz's slickly soulful hit "Am I Wrong" in the wake of the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, and catching the song's undercurrents of unease.

The New Yorker

The undercurrents of unease humming through that movie explode in Fred Zinnemann's Act Of Violence, a noir-like piece in which the war is still a living, palpable thing in the minds of a vengeful Robert Ryan and his prey, outwardly respectable, inwardly treacherous Van Heflin.

The Guardian - Film

The ballroom dances and salon tunes of Part I have a glorious lilt and carry with them an undercurrent of emotional unease.

The New Yorker

But others see undercurrents of racial unease that could boil into conflict, especially if hard times return.

The New York Times

On their own none of these, nor the many other apparently politically motivated killings over the last 15 years, changed the climate, though they did add to a growing sense of unease about possible dark undercurrents in Russian politics.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase when describing a situation where outward appearances may be calm, but there's an underlying sense of anxiety.

Common error

Avoid using "undercurrent of unease" excessively in descriptive writing. Overusing this phrase can make your writing feel repetitive and predictable. Instead, vary your descriptions with other evocative language to create a more nuanced and engaging portrayal of the atmosphere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undercurrent of unease" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a feeling or atmosphere. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Social Media

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undercurrent of unease" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, particularly within news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and apt for conveying a subtle yet palpable sense of discomfort or anxiety. While common, it's important to avoid overuse and consider alternatives such as "subtle tension" or "hidden anxiety" to maintain writing variety. The high source quality and expert rating underscore its reliability and effectiveness in conveying nuanced emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underlying disquiet

Simplifies the phrase by removing "of unease" but retaining the core meaning.

subtle sense of anxiety

Replaces "undercurrent" with "subtle sense", focusing on the feeling rather than the underlying cause.

latent feeling of disquiet

Emphasizes the hidden or dormant nature of the unease.

veiled sense of apprehension

Indicates a concealed feeling of fear or worry.

hidden tension

Highlights the concealed stress or strain that is causing the unease.

low-level anxiety

Uses a more clinical term to describe the unease.

pervasive feeling of unrest

Suggests a widespread feeling of unease affecting many people.

subliminal anxiety

Implies the anxiety is operating below the level of conscious awareness.

unspoken apprehension

Highlights that the unease is not openly expressed or acknowledged.

suppressed feeling of disquiet

Indicates that the unease is being consciously held back or concealed.

FAQs

What does "undercurrent of unease" mean?

It refers to a subtle, underlying feeling of discomfort, anxiety, or tension that is present but not openly expressed or immediately apparent.

How can I use "undercurrent of unease" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe situations or environments where there's a hidden sense of disquiet, such as: "Despite the cheerful atmosphere, there was an "undercurrent of unease" among the guests."

What are some alternatives to "undercurrent of unease"?

Alternatives include "subtle tension", "latent disquiet", or "hidden anxiety", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "sense of unease" instead of "undercurrent of unease"?

Yes, "sense of unease" is a correct and simpler alternative. However, "undercurrent of unease" implies that the feeling is not immediately obvious and is more subtly present.