as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
I'm usually ill at ease when addressing a large crowd of people
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Recent Examples of ill at ease
The young man may be introverted or otherwise socially ill at ease.
—
Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 29 May 2025
In addition to making people feel ill at ease and exacerbating respiratory illnesses, the wind, combined with dry conditions, has elevated the fire risk across Texas.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Mar. 2025
Kennedy gave a rather general and broad-based answer, and perhaps more problematically appeared ill at ease with the question.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 29 Jan. 2025
Why is this beautiful woman so ill at ease on her way to church?
—Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill at ease
Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 29 May 2025
In addition to making people feel ill at ease and exacerbating respiratory illnesses, the wind, combined with dry conditions, has elevated the fire risk across Texas.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Mar. 2025
Kennedy gave a rather general and broad-based answer, and perhaps more problematically appeared ill at ease with the question.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 29 Jan. 2025
Why is this beautiful woman so ill at ease on her way to church?
—Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill at ease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill at ease
Adjective
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Tang thought about his other friends who are worried about their aging parents.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
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Too many guys would be too worried about keeping their scholarships, never mind their snaps.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For example, stress can induce short term issues like upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea, while longer term stress can both cause and contribute to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).—
Sandra Rose Salathe,
Flow Space,
29 Oct. 2025
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And so, unfortunately, people are upset about the comments.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Some men avoid the gym or the beach altogether, wear baggy shirts year-round or feel anxious about intimacy.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
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Ottosson says reading the script was an anxious experience in itself.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Although Buffalo has allowed just 47 points in its last two games (both losses), the Chiefs offense has people nervous.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
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Not only are recent graduates nervous that their jobs could be replaced by AI, the application process is also becoming disrupted by the tools.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Baleba, after a troubled start to his season following United’s interest during the transfer window, had a good game against Newcastle last time out, and his performance in front of his suitors could impact their intentions next summer.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Nobody Wants This is featured on the cover of this week’s The Hollywood Reporter, which dives into the origins of the show and its troubled first season, which despite its issues became a global smash.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Lawler, the best known of the young actors thanks to her breakout work in Station Eleven, brings welcome awkward humor, while Stack, with the series’ most complex character, conveys an uneasy grasp on sanity that the rest of the show isn’t really prepared to deal with.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
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BofA also points to a record 54% of investors who now believe that AI stocks are in a bubble, according to its most recent Global Fund Manager Survey—another reason for heightened vigilance around the market’s uneasy exuberance.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ill at ease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill%20at%20ease. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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