unsettling meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unsettling meaning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a meaning or interpretation that causes discomfort or unease. Example: "The novel's unsettling meaning lingered in my mind long after I finished reading it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Read this another way and a new and truly unsettling meaning emerges: the "shale gas revolution" being promoted with such fervor by President Obama as a "bridge" to a more climate-friendly energy system in the United States is having the opposite effect in Europe.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

What could be at stake was a re-evaluation of the meaning of "parental love", unsettling cherished French clichés about how relationships worked.

Huffington Post

But the testiness of Mr. McCain's comments about Mr. Bush's "negative message of fear" -- and his coyness with interviewers about his real meaning -- gave voters an unsettling glimpse of a heretofore veiled aspect of Mr. McCain's personality.

The New York Times

We've seen the effect DeepDream has on famous artworks, Cronenberg films, and the world's most disturbing images, but it takes on new meaning when fused with the unsettling narrative of Trump's rise to prominence.

Vice

As directed by Erik Pearson, the show pursues strange tangents — Lockwood's comically terrifying lecture about women, the counselors' unsettling arts-and-crafts presentation on the preparation and meaning of God's-eyes — but doesn't lag.

The New York Times

Gay marriage is unsettling, to many, not because it departs from modern meanings of matrimony but because it embodies them.

The New Yorker

Online, he found unsettling references to the building, which has a land lease, meaning the co-op does not own the land on which it sits.

The New York Times

These interests include unexpected points of view, complicated yet accessible stories, alternative realities, and "unidentified narrative objects", meaning works of uncertain genre, such as Gomorrah, which combine reportage and fiction in unsettling ways.

The Guardian

After a minute of unsettling atmospherics, it gives way to a torrent of kick drums that give a whole new meaning to the words bass pressure.

Vice

The most unsettling choice was Slayer's "Angel of Death," which imagines the inner world of Josef Mengele: "Auschwitz, the meaning of pain / The way that I want you to die".

The New Yorker

Arguments abound as to the exact meaning of the painting, which, with its use of angles, reflections, and multiple interpretations, creates an unsettling relationship between viewer and subject.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "unsettling meaning", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing the unease or discomfort. For instance, specify the source or aspect of the meaning that is unsettling to provide clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "unsettling meaning" as a generic descriptor. Instead, elaborate on the specific aspect that makes the meaning unsettling. For example, instead of saying "the unsettling meaning of the poem", specify "the unsettling meaning of the poem's final stanza, which suggests a bleak future".

Linguistic Context

Unsettling meaning functions as a descriptor, highlighting the disturbing or discomforting nature of a particular significance or interpretation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating its acceptance in conveying a sense of unease associated with a meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unsettling meaning" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a meaning that causes unease or discomfort. Ludwig AI confirms this, and while its frequency is uncommon, it effectively conveys a sense of disturbance. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, this phrase functions as a descriptor, highlighting the disquieting nature of a particular significance. When employing this phrase, ensure to clearly indicate what aspects of the meaning are causing the unease to enhance clarity. Alternative phrases include "disturbing implication" or "disquieting interpretation". This phrase is suitable for neutral registers and aims to alert the audience to potentially disturbing aspects of the information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disturbing implication

Replaces "meaning" with "implication", focusing on the potential consequences of something.

disquieting interpretation

Substitutes "unsettling" with "disquieting" and "meaning" with "interpretation", emphasizing the disturbing nature of a particular explanation.

alarming significance

Changes "unsettling" to "alarming" and "meaning" to "significance", highlighting the worrying importance of something.

troubling connotation

Replaces "meaning" with "connotation", focusing on the negative associations of a word or phrase.

worrisome message

Substitutes "meaning" with "message", emphasizing the concern caused by the information conveyed.

ominous undertone

Changes "unsettling" to "ominous" and "meaning" to "undertone", highlighting the sense of foreboding.

uneasy sense

Replaces "unsettling meaning" with a more general "uneasy sense", focusing on the feeling of discomfort.

disturbing essence

Replaces "meaning" with "essence", emphasizing the fundamental nature of something that is disturbing.

disconcerting subtext

Substitutes "unsettling" with "disconcerting" and "meaning" with "subtext", focusing on the hidden, disturbing message.

worrying sense

Changes "unsettling" to "worrying" and "meaning" is implied within "sense", conveying a general feeling of anxiety.

FAQs

What does "unsettling meaning" imply?

The phrase "unsettling meaning" suggests that the interpretation or significance of something creates a sense of unease, discomfort, or anxiety. It implies that there's something disturbing or disturbing about the message being conveyed.

What are some alternatives to "unsettling meaning"?

Alternatives to "unsettling meaning" include "disturbing implication", "disquieting interpretation", or "alarming significance". These phrases can be used to describe a meaning or interpretation that causes discomfort or unease.

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

You might say, "The "unsettling meaning" of the politician's words caused widespread concern" or "The film's "unsettling meaning" lingered in my mind long after I left the theater".

Is "unsettling meaning" grammatically correct?

Yes, "unsettling meaning" is grammatically correct. "Unsettling" is an adjective modifying the noun "meaning". It's a valid and understandable phrase in English.