unrest

USAGE SUMMARY

'unrest' is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of agitation, turmoil, or disorder, often caused by political or social disagreement. Example sentence: The growing economic inequality has sparked unrest among the population.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This week's protests may be the most chaotic scenes Hong Kong has experienced since a violent, anti-British riot racked the city in 1967 – and many residents are taking it as evidence that the "one country, two systems" framework is fundamentally flawed, a recipe for political gridlock and social unrest.

The Guardian

Last week Cornall was named to head an inquiry into the Manus Island unrest, the second investigation he has led into asylum incidents there.

The Guardian

He died a week later in hospital, prompting protests and unrest across the city.

The Guardian

There is a moral question: would that wheat have gone to Africa instead?" Andrew Pitts notes that in 2008, after a poor global harvest, the price of wheat doubled and that the unrest in Ukraine has affected wheat prices.

The Guardian

The filters are also helping communities where division, unrest and a lack of infrastructure means that long-term clean water systems are a long way off.

The Guardian

"Right at the moment I am encountering a lot of unrest and discontent," Wilkie said.

The Guardian

Dozens of civilians and 10 police officers were injured in the unrest on the streets of Brixton, south London, following the shooting of Groce.

The Guardian

To comply with the law the three firms must hand over data on Russian bloggers with more than 3,000 readers per day and take down websites that Roskomnadzor saw as containing calls for "unsanctioned protests and unrest", Ampelonsky said.

The Guardian

Attorneys for the officers argued in a second motion that prosecutors violated Maryland law by rushing to charge their clients on 1 May with crimes including murder and manslaughter over the death of Gray, 25, whose neck was broken in custody, prompting protests and unrest.

The Guardian

May rejected rioters' assertions that the unrest was linked to alienation from the police or the government, dismissing concerns raised in the research report as "excuses".

The Guardian

Carphone's decision this year to merge with electricals retailer Dixons is thought to have been prompted by growing unrest among its biggest customers – the mobile networks whose connections it sells.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about social or political situations, use "unrest" to accurately describe periods of agitation, protests, or disturbances. This adds precision to your descriptions of societal dynamics.

Common error

Don't dilute the impact of "unrest" by using weaker synonyms when describing serious social or political disturbances. Reserve "unrest" for situations involving significant agitation and potential for conflict.

Linguistic Context

The noun "unrest" primarily functions as a subject or object in a sentence, describing a state of disturbance or agitation. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unrest" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun, primarily employed to describe states of disturbance, agitation, or turmoil, often within social or political contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term follows standard grammatical rules and is appropriate for conveying significant societal disruptions. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, business communications, and scientific analyses. When using "unrest", ensure it accurately reflects the gravity of the situation, and consider related terms such as "turmoil" or "agitation" for nuanced descriptions. Always aim for precision and context-appropriateness in your writing to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agitation

Refers to a state of anxiety or nervous excitement, which can lead to unrest.

turmoil

Implies a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.

upheaval

Suggests a sudden and significant disruption or change.

discontent

Indicates a feeling of dissatisfaction or unhappiness, often a precursor to unrest.

commotion

Describes a state of noisy disturbance or uproar.

agitation

The action of arousing public concern about issues

disturbance

A general term for interruption of peace and quiet.

instability

Describes a state of uncertainty or unpredictability

discord

Lack of agreement between people

uproar

Loud complaining because people are angry about something

FAQs

How can I use "unrest" in a sentence?

You can use "unrest" to describe a state of disturbance or agitation, often political or social. For example: "The economic crisis sparked widespread "social unrest"".

What are some alternatives to the word "unrest"?

Some alternatives include "agitation", "turmoil", or "disturbance", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "unrest" to describe personal feelings?

While "unrest" typically refers to social or political disturbances, it can metaphorically describe a state of inner turmoil or unease. However, consider if a word like "anxiety" or "disquiet" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "unrest" and "protest"?

"Unrest" is a general state of disturbance or agitation, while "protest" is a specific action or event expressing disapproval or dissent. "Protests" can be a manifestation of underlying "unrest".