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unease

American  
[uhn-eez] / ʌnˈiz /

noun

  1. a state of discomfort or restlessness in the body or mind.

    Anxiety may break through and make itself felt in physical symptoms, such as jitters or unease.

    These initiatives seem to have emerged from the growing unease at the uneven pattern of economic recovery.

Etymology

Origin of unease

First recorded in 1300–50; un- 1 ( def. ) + ease ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Unease is warranted; it’s a nerve-rattling document, clearly designed for that effect.

From Slate • Dec. 8, 2025

Unease about royal behaviour had spread way beyond regular critics of the monarchy – Robert Jenrick and Sir Ed Davey bringing it up "sent shockwaves".

From BBC • Nov. 1, 2025

Unease about tighter controls has hampered efforts by Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government to revive foreign investor interest following the lifting in December of anti-virus controls that blocked most travel into and out of China.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 10, 2023

Unease about Mr. Biden’s age suffuses Democratic circles.

From New York Times • Jun. 4, 2023

Unease snaked through her and twisted into an anxious, rustling coil.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.