uneasy

USAGE SUMMARY

"uneasy" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective which is most often used to describe a feeling of unease, worry, or discomfort. For example: I felt uneasy when I saw the dark clouds gathering in the sky.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Also, as this excellent Atlantic piece points out, there's a slightly uneasy "white saviour" theme throughout, best exemplified by a genuinely ghastly scene where the family tell the slaves that they're letting them go, everybody starts hugging and, quick as a flash, one of the freed women starts singing Amazing Grace.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Britain's previous prime minister was uneasy, a sentiment that was felt – it later turned out – all the way up to the highest turrets in the land.

The Guardian

And I am still uneasy about the outright inventions in The Imitation Game, particularly its fantasy about Turing's supposed connection with the "fifth man" John Cairncross.

The Guardian - Film

The second is that they now know of a plutocracy that did not use to exist and makes us very uneasy.

The Guardian - Money

If Missouri or any other American state with similar conflicts – racial, religious, political, whatever – have any hope of healing, it lies with those who are serious and sturdy enough to ditch their petrified opinions, to embrace complexity and to absorb facts that make them uneasy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Worsening relations with Qatar over the blunt approach of the Qatari TV channel al-Jazeera and territorial disputes created an uneasy situation.

The Guardian

A long-standing gemellaggio (twinning) exists between fans of Torino and Fiorentina, one which had already led to uneasy speculation before the game that the Viola – happily ensconced in fourth place – might not try as hard as they should.

The Guardian - Sport

Looking at it overall, Margaret and I probably always had a slightly uneasy partnership, but a very creative one.

The Guardian

In Tim Pigott-Smith's superb performance, he became a man who seemed uneasy in his own skin, apprehensive about the burden of monarchy and yet deeply and steadfastly principled.

The Guardian

Howard told the Australian: "I'm uneasy about the idea of having royal commissions or inquiries into essentially a political decision on which the public has already delivered a verdict.

The Guardian

If Carswell was upset about Farage's gutter comments about HIV, perhaps he was also uneasy about Farage claiming that people were right to be concerned about having Romanian neighbours.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "uneasy" to describe a general feeling of anxiety or apprehension, especially when the cause is not immediately clear. For instance, "I felt uneasy about the upcoming meeting, even though I couldn't pinpoint why."

Common error

While "uneasy" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger alternatives like "apprehensive" or "concerned" to convey a more precise meaning and maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "uneasy" primarily functions to describe a state of discomfort, anxiety, or restlessness. It's used to modify nouns, indicating a feeling of unease or apprehension about a situation, person, or thing, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "uneasy" is a versatile and frequently used term for expressing feelings of discomfort, anxiety, or apprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and highlights its prominence in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. While applicable across various situations, it's advisable to consider stronger alternatives in highly formal settings. Understanding the subtle nuances between "uneasy" and synonyms like "anxious" or "apprehensive" can enhance precision in writing. Therefore, leveraging the guidance and examples provided can ensure effective and appropriate usage of "uneasy" in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncomfortable

Indicates a lack of physical or emotional comfort.

ill at ease

Formally expresses a feeling of discomfort or awkwardness.

apprehensive

Focuses more on anticipating future problems or anxieties.

anxious

Highlights a state of worry and nervousness, often about something specific.

on edge

Describes a state of heightened alertness and tension.

restless

Emphasizes the inability to relax or stay still, driven by anxiety.

agitated

Suggests a state of being visibly anxious or disturbed.

jittery

Conveys a feeling of nervousness manifested physically.

disquieted

Implies a loss of peace or tranquility.

perturbed

Suggests a mild state of agitation or disturbance.

FAQs

How can I use "uneasy" in a sentence?

"Uneasy" is typically used as an adjective to describe a feeling of discomfort, anxiety, or apprehension. For example, "I felt "uneasy" about the situation" or "The silence made me "uneasy"."

What are some synonyms for "uneasy"?

Alternatives to "uneasy" include "apprehensive", "anxious", "restless", "uncomfortable", and "perturbed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "uneasy"?

It is appropriate to use "uneasy" when describing a general feeling of discomfort, anxiety, or apprehension. It can be used in various contexts, from personal feelings to describing a tense situation. However, in highly formal contexts, consider more precise alternatives.

What's the difference between "uneasy" and "anxious"?

While both words describe feelings of discomfort, "uneasy" often refers to a more general sense of apprehension without a specific cause, whereas "anxious" usually implies a more pronounced worry or concern about something specific.