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

• 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

Some candidates for office have expressed unease about disciplinary actions that were taken against four writers earlier this year. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025

The Mountain West has subsequently pillaged lower levels for new members, and the domino effect has left many mid-majors in a state of unease at best, total disarray and panic at worst. —Jim Root, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025

While a final decision hasn’t been made, Apple’s exploration of outside options has triggered unease within AFM. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 July 2025

The first trailer arrived in May 2025, showing how a series of mysterious disappearances trigger unease in both a Black family that's new to town and a group of young, bike-riding tweens (not so unlike the Losers' Club of Muschietti's films). —EW.com, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unease

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