unrest spreading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unrest spreading" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where disturbances or conflicts are increasing or becoming more widespread in a particular area or among a group of people. Example: "The news reports indicated that unrest spreading across the region was causing concern among local authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The move by the university to send its students packing appeared to be an attempt to thwart any further unrest spreading on the campus and into Aleppo itself.

The New York Times

Algeria has banned all marches "for security reasons" amid fears that the wave of unrest spreading through north Africa could destabilise the country.

The Guardian

In the audio message, Mr. Zawahri addressed the revolutions and unrest spreading across the Middle East, throwing his support behind protesters in Syria and Libya while denouncing NATO and United States, saying the Western powers had backed repressive governments.

The New York Times

Those who track oil prices are especially worried about the renewed turmoil in Iran and the possibility of unrest spreading from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, which could have a major impact on oil's price and its availability.

The New York Times

Fears over violent unrest spreading in South Africa's mining industry grew on Monday after a police shooting at a gold mine left four workers in hospital, including one critically injured.

The Guardian

In an attempt to prevent the unrest spreading to his territory, the Republika Srpska president, Milorad Dodik, has sought to portray it as a Bosniak-Croat plot aimed at Serbs – a claim echoed by the mostly pliant Serb media.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Density means disease and unrest spread quickly.

The Guardian - Opinion

The unrest spread to the capital, where shops were looted.

The Economist

As reports of the Dhaka University violence spread, unrest spread to at least four other universities.

The New York Times

The demonstrations began in January as unrest spread across the Arab world.

The New York Times

When the unrest spread to Manchester on Tuesday, many of the rioters there were apparently white.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unrest spreading" when you want to emphasize the geographical or contextual expansion of disturbances. This phrase is particularly effective in describing situations where initial isolated incidents are growing into wider movements or conflicts.

Common error

Avoid using "spreading" redundantly when other words can more precisely describe the nature of the expansion. For example, instead of saying "fear spreading", consider "fear escalating" if the focus is on the intensity of fear rather than its geographical spread.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unrest spreading" typically functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject or part of a clause describing a state of affairs. It's used to depict the expansion or propagation of civil disturbances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unrest spreading" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the expansion of disturbances. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and serves to inform about the escalation of conflicts. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "instability escalating" or "turmoil expanding". When employing this phrase, ensure the focus is genuinely on the geographical or contextual expansion of the disturbances, avoiding redundant use when other terms might be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

social unrest expanding

Specifically emphasizes that the social unrest is affecting more areas or groups.

instability escalating

Focuses on the increasing intensity of instability rather than the geographical spread of unrest.

turmoil expanding

Emphasizes the widening scope of chaotic or turbulent conditions.

disorder propagating

Highlights the way disorder is transmitted or diffused.

conflict widening

Specifically denotes that the conflict is affecting more areas or groups.

agitation growing

Shifts the focus to increasing restlessness or public disturbance, not necessarily geographic spread.

rebellion extending

Specifically refers to the geographic reach of acts of defiance or resistance.

violence escalating

Highlights the increasing intensity and spread of violent acts.

dissent intensifying

Focuses on the increasing strength of disagreement or opposition.

tension rising

Focuses on the increase in strained relations or unease but not necessarily on physical spread.

FAQs

How can I use "unrest spreading" in a sentence?

You can use "unrest spreading" to describe situations where initial disturbances are growing into wider movements. For example: "The news reports indicated that "unrest spreading" across the region was causing concern among local authorities."

What are some alternatives to "unrest spreading"?

Alternatives include "instability escalating", "turmoil expanding", or "disorder propagating", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "unrest spreading"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight the geographical or contextual expansion of disturbances. Use it when the key point is that the unrest is affecting more areas or groups of people.

Is "unrest spreading" formal or informal?

The phrase "unrest spreading" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly found in news reports and analytical writing.