unease

noun

un·​ease ˌən-ˈēz 

: mental or spiritual discomfort: such as

a

: vague dissatisfaction : misgiving

b

: anxiety, disquiet

c

: lack of ease (as in social relations) : embarrassment

Synonyms of unease

• concern
• fear
• anxiety
• worry
• concernment
• uneasiness

Examples of unease in a Sentence

A feeling of unease came over her.

They noticed increasing signs of unease among the workers.

Recent Examples on the Web

But Susser said the unease might also reflect that society hasn’t quite established clear norms around AI use. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

The car turns onto a dark road that, to the youngsters’ growing unease, appears to stretch on forever through an infinite forest. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Economists are divided on Warsh’s approach thus far, with current unease in the bond market just one symptom of that split. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Yet despite this unease, they are also shown with occasional silliness and wit, as well as an unexpected strength to their paradoxically porcelain-like bodies. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unease

• agrees
• appease
• bougies
• burmese
• chemise
• chickpeas
• chinese
• cowpeas
• curies
• decrees
• degrees
• disease