Uneasiness: meaning, definitions and examples

😬

Add to dictionary

uneasiness

[ˌʌnˈiːzɪnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling of discomfort

Uneasiness is the state of feeling anxious, uncomfortable, or uneasy. It is a sense of restlessness or apprehension.

Synonyms

anxiety, discomfort, disquiet, nervousness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
uneasiness	Uneasiness is a general feeling of discomfort or worry that might not have a specific cause. She felt a sense of uneasiness as she walked through the dark alley
discomfort	Discomfort is a mild feeling of physical or emotional unease. It can refer to either physical sensations or emotional states. She felt discomfort sitting in the old, broken chair
anxiety	Anxiety refers to a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. It often implies a more intense and persistent state compared to uneasiness. His anxiety about the upcoming exam kept him up all night
disquiet	Disquiet suggests a disturbed or troubled state of mind, usually caused by a specific event or situation. The news about the layoffs caused a sense of disquiet among the employees
nervousness	Nervousness refers to a feeling of being tense, worried, or apprehensive, usually in response to a specific situation. Her nervousness was evident as she prepared to give her first public speech

Examples of usage

I sensed an uneasiness in the room as we waited for the test results.
Her uneasiness grew as the deadline approached.
The uneasiness in his voice was evident.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

lack of ease or comfort

Uneasiness can also refer to a lack of ease or comfort in a situation. It is the opposite of feeling relaxed or at peace.

Synonyms

awkwardness, discomfort, tension.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
uneasiness	Feeling of anxiety or worry about something uncertain or potentially harmful. She felt a sense of uneasiness as she entered the dark alley. There was a noticeable uneasiness in the room when the topic of layoffs came up.
discomfort	A general physical or mental feeling of unease or mild pain; can be used in both physical and emotional contexts. She shifted in her seat, trying to relieve the discomfort in her back. He felt discomfort when discussing his personal problems with strangers.
awkwardness	Feeling of embarrassment or discomfort in social situations, often due to social clumsiness or lack of coordination. His awkwardness in conversations made it difficult for him to make new friends. The first date was full of awkwardness, but they laughed about it later.
tension	A state of mental or emotional strain, often leading to a feeling of tightness or pressure; common in stressful situations or conflicts. The tension between the two colleagues was palpable after the heated argument. There was a lot of tension in the air during the final minutes of the game.

Examples of usage

The uneasiness of the situation made it difficult to concentrate.
She felt a sense of uneasiness in the unfamiliar surroundings.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'unēas', meaning 'not easy', which directly indicates discomfort.
In Middle English, 'uneasiness' came to refer not only to physical discomfort but also to emotional states.
This term has been used in literature dating back to the 14th century, showing its long-standing presence in the English language.

Psychology

Research shows that uneasiness can stem from uncertain situations, like facing a big exam or meeting new people.
It's closely related to anxiety; when our body senses danger or an unknown challenge, we experience uneasiness.
Mindfulness techniques can help ease feelings of uneasiness by grounding individuals in the present moment.

Literature

Many authors, like Shakespeare and Poe, used uneasiness to build tension and develop character feelings.
In contemporary novels, unease often reflects the characters' inner conflicts or societal issues, helping portray their emotional states.
Poets often express uneasiness through vivid imagery, using it to evoke strong emotions in their readers, illustrating deep psychological themes.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, feelings of uneasiness are linked to intuition, suggesting that it could be a warning signal about something not being right.
Cultural storytelling often includes characters facing moments of uneasiness, symbolizing their journey toward overcoming fears.
Folklore in various traditions incorporates the concept of uneasiness as a sign of impending change or challenge in life.

Pop Culture

Films and TV shows often portray characters feeling uneasy before a big moment—which makes viewers relate to their anxiety.
Songs about anxiety and uneasiness often resonate with listeners, highlighting the commonality of such feelings.
In video games, the atmosphere is often designed to create uneasiness to enhance suspense and engagement, immersing players in the story.

Translations

Translations of the word "uneasiness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inquietação

🇮🇳 असुविधा

🇩🇪 Unbehagen

🇮🇩 kegelisahan

🇺🇦 неспокій

🇵🇱 niepokój

🇯🇵 不安

🇫🇷 inquiétude

🇪🇸 inquietud

🇹🇷 huzursuzluk

🇰🇷 불안

🇸🇦 قلق

🇨🇿 neklid

🇸🇰 nepokoj

🇨🇳 不安

🇸🇮 nemirnost

🇮🇸 óþægindi

🇰🇿 мазасыздық

🇬🇪 არასასიამოვნო

🇦🇿 narahatlıq

🇲🇽 inquietud

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,544, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
12541 dryness
12542 depressive
12543 pyrite
12544 uneasiness
12545 creations
12546 bedded
12547 spoils
...