uneasy
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
feeling slightly worried or nervous about something, often because you think something bad might happen.
characterised by a sense of apprehension or anxiety regarding a future event or current situation.
Simple“I felt uneasy about leaving the children home alone for the first time.”
In context“The witness felt increasingly uneasy as the prosecutor began to probe the inconsistencies in her initial statement.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
describing a situation or atmosphere that is not relaxed and feels like trouble might start.
describing a state of precarious stability or a social atmosphere marked by tension and lack of comfort.
Simple“There was an uneasy silence in the room after they finished their argument.”
In context“The two countries reached an uneasy peace treaty that many analysts believed would not last through the winter.”
Antonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
unable to sit still or sleep because you are in pain or worried.
marked by physical restlessness or a lack of repose, often due to underlying discomfort or mental agitation.
Simple“He spent an uneasy night tossing and turning in the hotel bed.”
In context“The patient fell into an uneasy sleep, frequently waking to the sound of the hospital monitors.”
From Middle English unesy, equivalent to un- + easy. Merged with Middle English unethe, uneathe (“difficult, not easy”). See uneath.
From Middle English unesy, unaisie (“not comforting”), from un- + esy (“comfortable, at ease”). More at easy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.