uneasy

1 of 2

adjective

un·​easy ˌən-ˈē-zē 

1

: causing physical or mental discomfort

uneasy news of captures and killings

—Marjory S. Douglas

2

: not easy : difficult

3

: marked by lack of ease : awkward, embarrassed

gave an uneasy laugh

4

: apprehensive, worried

uneasy about the weather

5

: restless, unquiet

an uneasy night

6

: precarious, unstable

an uneasy truce

uneasiness noun

uneasy

2 of 2

adverb

: uneasily

Synonyms

Adjective

• aflutter
• antsy
• anxious
• atwitter
• dithery
• edgy
• goosey
• het up
• hinky [slang]
• hung up
• ill at ease
• insecure
• jittery
• jumpy
• nervous
• nervy
• perturbed
• queasy
• queazy
• tense
• troubled
• unquiet
• upset
• uptight
• worried

Examples of uneasy in a Sentence

Adjective

Rain made the crew uneasy.

He has an uneasy relationship with his father.

We spent an uneasy night waiting for news.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But a ruling is expected soon, and that's making immigrant communities in Texas uneasy – especially coupled with another measure passed by the Texas legislature that would punish anyone found to have been aiding someone who is in the U.S. illegally. —Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 22 May 2024

Early in his term, President Biden seemed to have struck an uneasy truce with the oil and gas industry. —Rebecca Elliott, New York Times, 21 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1596, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing uneasy

• uneasy peace

Kids Definition

uneasy

adjective

un·​easy

ˌən-ˈē-zē

1

: not easy in manner : awkward

uneasy among strangers

2

: disturbed by pain or worry : restless

rain made the crew uneasy

uneasily

-ˈēz-ə-lē

adverb

uneasiness

-ˈē-zē-nəs

noun