# unease

/əˈniz/ (US) · /ʌnˈiːz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unease
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. worry or discomfort

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of worry or nervousness, especially when you think something bad might happen.

For teachers: a state of mental discomfort, apprehension, or anxiety regarding a situation or event.

- There was a growing sense of unease among the staff after the manager's announcement.
- The sudden silence in the boardroom created a palpable sense of unease, as if everyone were waiting for the other shoe to drop.

### 2. to make uncomfortable

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

to make someone feel worried or nervous.

For teachers: to cause a person to feel uncomfortable or anxious. This transitive use is significantly less common than the noun or the adjective 'uneasy'.

- The strange noises from the attic began to unease the residents of the old house.
- The prospect of a long winter without adequate supplies began to unease the settlers, though they kept their fears quiet.

Usage: The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

## Examples

- There was a sense of unease in the room.
- The sudden silence in the office created a feeling of unease among the staff.
- The protagonist's journey is defined by a growing sense of unease, as the familiar rules of his world begin to break down under the pressure of the unknown.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.