unsettling answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unsettling answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a response that causes discomfort or unease. Example: "When asked about the future of the project, the manager gave an unsettling answer that left the team worried."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Soon after the Alabama massacre, Paul Frazier, the Braintree chief of police, offered an unsettling answer.

The New Yorker

More generally, the Planter incident offered an unsettling answer to a question that Southern slaveholders had been wrestling with for much of the 19th century: Were slaves faithful servants or enemies in their midst?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But for Philip Hamburger, John P. Wilson professor of law at the University of Chicago, the history of this amalgamation is a question of the first order, and one for which he has proposed some rather unsettling answers.

The New York Times

Six months after a similar series of interviews along I-80 -- when the country was wrestling with President Bush's push to attack Iraq -- the nation's uncertainty over the necessity and cost of war seems to have given way to a host of new anxieties, as well as unsettling new answers.

The New York Times

When Serena Williams starts to feel uneasy on the court under the unsettling circumstances, Venus answers by steeling herself from the emotion of playing her little sister.

The New York Times - Sports

This begins to answer the unsettling question DeLillo raises in the novel: What happens when plots lives cease to "move deathward"?

Vice

Our standardized-test-driven schools reward the right answer, not the unsettling question.

The New York Times

The thirtysomethings' answer to these unsettling truths is to sink down to the eyeballs in a time-travelling jacuzzi.

The Guardian - Film

Whether Philippoussis's body, after two successive five-set matches, can live up to his spirit and will is an unsettling question to which the answer must be: surely not.

The Guardian - Sport

If the answers to such unsettling questions are not obvious, they are not meant to be.

The New York Times - Arts

"I don't care where you live," she said, "A murder is unsettling, and we need better answers".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unsettling answer" when you want to convey that a response creates a sense of unease, anxiety, or disturbance. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being found unsettling.

Common error

Avoid using "unsettling answer" when a simpler term like "unexpected answer" or "surprising answer" would suffice. "Unsettling" carries a strong connotation of disturbance, so reserve it for situations where the response truly creates discomfort or anxiety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unsettling answer" functions as a noun phrase where "unsettling" modifies the noun "answer". It describes a response that causes discomfort, unease, or anxiety. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is often used in journalistic and analytical contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unsettling answer" effectively communicates that a response is not merely surprising or unexpected, but rather creates a sense of unease or disturbance. As per Ludwig, its use is grammatically sound and primarily observed within the domain of news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context justifies the strong negative connotation. While alternatives like "disturbing response" or "disconcerting reply" exist, "unsettling answer" offers a specific emphasis on the anxiety or discomfort caused by the response. Understanding the subtleties of this phrase enables more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disturbing response

Replaces "unsettling" with "disturbing", emphasizing the troubling nature of the answer.

disconcerting reply

Uses "disconcerting" to highlight the confusing or unsettling aspect of the answer.

uneasy response

Emphasizes the feeling of unease caused by the answer.

troubling reply

Focuses on the problematic or worrying nature of the answer.

disquieting response

Highlights the anxiety or worry provoked by the answer.

alarming answer

Emphasizes the potentially frightening or shocking quality of the answer.

worrying response

Focuses on the concern or anxiety prompted by the answer.

ominous reply

Suggests a sense of foreboding or impending danger in the answer.

unnerving answer

Highlights the loss of composure caused by the answer.

disagreeable answer

Focuses on the unpleasantness associated with the answer.

FAQs

How can I use "unsettling answer" in a sentence?

You can use "unsettling answer" to describe a response that causes discomfort or unease. For instance, "The politician's "unsettling answer" about the new policy raised concerns among the public".

What phrases are similar to "unsettling answer"?

Alternatives include "disturbing response", "disconcerting reply", or "troubling reply", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "unsettling answer" a formal or informal expression?

"Unsettling answer" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more commonly found in news articles and reports due to its descriptive nature.

When is it appropriate to use "unsettling answer" over a more neutral term?

Use "unsettling answer" when the response not only surprises but also creates a sense of unease, anxiety, or disturbance. If the response is simply unexpected, a more neutral term like "surprising answer" may be more appropriate.