uneasyun‧eas‧y /ʌnˈiːzi/ ●○○ adjective 
Ninety percent of those questioned felt uneasy about nuclear power.► see thesaurus at nervous, worried2used to describe a period of time when people have agreed to stop fighting or arguing, but which is not really calmuneasy peace/truce/alliance/compromise The treaty restored an uneasy peace to the country.3not comfortable, peaceful, or relaxed: She eventually fell into an uneasy sleep.—uneasily adverb: Bill shifted uneasily in his chair. Charles’ concern for the environment sits uneasily with (=does not fit well with) his collection of powerful cars.—uneasiness noun [uncountable]COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2nounsan uneasy peace· There was an uneasy peace in the region for nearly three years before the conflict flared up again.an uneasy truce· It was an uneasy truce, however, and tension was never far from the surface.an uneasy calm· Things seemed quiet enough, but it was an uneasy calm.an uneasy alliance/relationship· The government is based on an uneasy alliance between Christian Democrats and Socialists.an uneasy compromise· The result was an uneasy compromise which no-one liked.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- 75 percent of consumers said they were uneasy about using their credit cards over the Internet.
- After a while she started to feel uneasy, and then scared.
- After the speech there was an uneasy silence and nobody clapped.
- an uneasy relationship
- An uneasy truce has been declared in the bloody two-year conflict.
- I was distinctly uneasy in his company, but I couldn't explain why.
- It was the same uneasy feeling he'd experienced that morning when he saw the police car outside.
- Rebecca was already beginning to feel uneasy about accepting the stranger's offer of a ride.
- Roger was a bit uneasy about the plan, but he agreed.
- She had the uneasy feeling that he wasn't going to come back.
- Since the two sides declared a ceasefire, there has been an uneasy calm throughout the region.
- There's something I don't trust about him. He makes me feel very uneasy.
- When I answered the telephone, no one was there, which made me uneasy.
- And why even today are most scientists still profoundly uneasy about any such notion?
- By then he was unofficially resident and working abroad, and in uneasy relations with the Soviet authorities.
- His unpredictable outbursts made family members feel uneasy.
- It was clear to Susan that Kendall made them uneasy.
- Partly because of these restrictions on action and scope, the relationship between Assembly and Committee has often been uneasy and strained.
- She seemed uneasy, greeting him with a faltering voice.
- The thought sent an uneasy shiver down her spine.
THESAURUS
worried or a little frightened about something and unable to relax: · Kelly was so nervous about her exam that she couldn’t sleep.· It makes me nervous when you drive that fast.
worried and unable to relax in a way that makes you get angry or upset easily: · Mary’s problems at work were making her tense and irritable.
nervous because you feel that something bad might happen, so that you are unable to relax until the danger has passed: · I began to feel uneasy when he still hadn’t phoned by 11 o'clock.
if you are on edge or your nerves are on edge, you feel nervous because you are worried about what might happen: · My nerves were on edge, waiting for the results of the test.· Redundancies and other work upheavals have put employees on edge.
nervous and anxious in a way that is not normal or reasonable: · She’s completely neurotic about food hygiene.· a neurotic mother
nervous because you are worried about what might happen: · Investors are a little edgy about the financial markets these days.· There was a lot of pressure on the team tonight and that’s why they were a little jumpy.
British English, high-strung American English becoming nervous or upset easily because that is your character: · Like many musicians, he’s very sensitive and highly-strung.
to feel extremely nervous and unable to relax: · After 10 months of teaching, I was a total nervous wreck.
informal to feel nervous about something that you are going to do very soon because it is important and you want to do it well: · Actors often have butterflies before going on stage.
not feeling happy or relaxed because you keep thinking about a problem or something bad that might happen: · I was worried that you had forgotten our date.· It’s awful if you are worried about money.· I was so worried that I couldn’t sleep at all.
worried because you think something bad might happen or has happened. Anxious is more formal than worried, and is often used about a general feeling of worry, when you are not sure what has happened: · A lot of employees are anxious about their jobs.· Anxious relatives waited for news.
worried or frightened about something you are going to do or experience, and unable to relax: · Everyone feels nervous before an exam.· The thought of going into hospital was making me nervous.
a little worried because you feel there may be something wrong and you are not sure what is going to happen: · When she still wasn’t home by midnight, I began to feel uneasy.· The total silence was making me feel uneasy.
formal worried, usually about a problem affecting someone else or affecting the country or the world: · Many people are concerned about the current economic situation.· Police say that they are concerned for the safety of the missing girl.
[not before noun] worried by something that happens – often used in negative sentences: · She didn’t seem particularly bothered by the news.
very worried, so that you think about something a lot: · She fell into a troubled sleep.· a troubled expression· ‘Are you okay, Ben? You look troubled.’
especially written a little worried about something you are going to do, or about the future, because you are not sure what it will be like: · I felt a bit apprehensive about seeing him again after so long.
informal very worried and tired because of problems, too much work etc, and unable to relax or enjoy life: · He’d been working ten hours a day for ages and was stressed out.· an extremely stressed single mother
Longman Language Activatornervous · Bill looked nervous, and I could see his hands were shaking.nervous about · Kelli was so nervous about her exam that she couldn't sleep.· I'm a little nervous about leaving the kids at home all alone.· Many investors are nervous about their investments after the recent drop in the stock market.make somebody nervous · It makes me nervous when you drive that fast.
so worried about something that you cannot relax, and you easily get angry or upset: · I always feel tense after driving all day.· Mary's problems at work were making her tense and irritable.· You seem awfully tense - why don't you have a drink and try to relax?
very nervous so that you are unable to relax and are easily surprised by sudden sounds or movements: · The dogs are jumpy tonight - I wonder if there's something outside.· She was getting jumpy thinking about the trip.· I was feeling extremely jittery - all I wanted was to leave the bar as quickly as possible.· Investors are jittery due to uncertainty about interest rates.
if someone is on edge or if their nerves are on edge , they are nervous and likely to become angry or upset very easily: · Jerry had had a hard day and his nerves were on edge.· As reports of robberies continued to appear in the press, the whole community was increasingly on edge.
nervous that something bad might happen, so that you feel anxious and unable to relax until the danger has passed: · There's something I don't trust about him. He makes me feel very uneasy.· It was the same uneasy feeling he'd experienced that morning when he saw the police car outside.uneasy about: · Rebecca was already beginning to feel uneasy about accepting the stranger's offer of a ride.
very nervous and anxious about something, especially when you are in a dangerous situation that you cannot control or change: · I began to feel panicky, sure that I was going to miss the train.· "Is he really dead?" Abe asked in a panicky voice.· After waiting for him for two hours, Lorna got panicky and called the police.
a situation in which people feel nervous a tense situation makes people feel nervous and anxious, especially because they are worried about what might happen next or what someone might do: · There was a tense silence, and then everyone began to laugh.· The negotiations became increasingly tense as the weeks went by.· The journey through the mountains went well even though there were a few tense moments when the car skidded.· When someone mentioned Andy's time in prison, the atmosphere grew tense.
a situation that is strained makes people feel nervous, embarrassed, and uncomfortable, and unable to behave naturally: · After the argument there was a strained silence.· Since my father's affair things have been very strained between him and my mother.· The strained atmosphere at the dinner made it difficult to chat with people.
a situation that is uneasy makes people feel a little nervous because they are uncertain about what will happen next or what someone might do: · After the speech there was an uneasy silence and nobody clapped.· Since the two sides declared a ceasefire, there has been an uneasy calm throughout the region.
an unsettling situation makes you feel slightly nervous and unable to relax or concentrate completely: · The weather forecast was unsettling - we had nowhere to go if a really big storm hit.· Greenspan delivered more unsettling news about the economy the next day.
a nailbiting situation is so exciting that it makes you nervous, especially because you are waiting for a result or decision: · Waiting to become a father is one of the most nailbiting situations a man can face.nailbiting finish: · With three minutes left, the World Cup Final is set for a nailbiting finish.
a nerve-wracking situation makes you feel very nervous because it is difficult or frightening: · Your first appearance on stage is always a nerve-wracking experience· Trying to keep track of all those little kids at the same time must be pretty nerve-wracking.
a charged situation or subject makes people feel very nervous and is likely to cause arguments or violence: · Abortion is still a very emotionally charged issue in the U.S.highly charged: · In a highly charged press conference, Armstrong defended his attack on the children.charged atmosphere: · The already charged atmosphere erupted into violence when police told the crowd to disperse.
feeling worried not feeling happy or relaxed, because you keep thinking about a problem or about something bad that might happen: · Dave could see how worried she was, and he tried to reassure her.look worried: · You look worried - what's the matter?worried about: · Marion was worried about losing her job. · We're very worried about Grandma.· I'm not really worried about how much it will cost.worried (that): · She rushed to the station, worried that she might miss her train.· I was worried if I washed it, it might shrink.get worried: · I'm getting worried because my account still hasn't registered a check I deposited a while ago.a worried look/frown/glance etc: · She had such a worried look on her face!· Helen looked at me with a worried expression.
especially written very worried because you think that something bad has happened or may happen, and you feel that you have no control over the situation: · Anxious relatives waited at the airport for news of the plane crash.feel/sound anxious: · She knew it was a simple operation, but she still felt anxious.anxious about: · Helen is always anxious about travelling alone.· When you become anxious about sleeplessness, you actually make the problem worse.an anxious face/voice/expression etc: · "Please come with me," she said in an anxious voice.· Mae cast an anxious look in his direction.
worried and slightly frightened about something that is going to happen or something new or difficult that you have to do: · I'm always nervous before exams.get nervous: · Mum gets nervous if we don't call to say we're late.look/feel/sound nervous: · Bill looked nervous, and I could see that his hands were shaking.· Harry began to feel nervous again as the plane made its descent.make somebody (feel) nervous: · The sounds outside were making me feel nervous.· Stop tapping your feet! You're making me nervous.nervous about: · Kelly was so nervous about her interview that she couldn't sleep.
worried about someone else's problems, health, safety etc: · A TV programme about cruelty to children brought hundreds of letters from concerned viewers.concerned about: · I'm very concerned about Veronica. She looks so pale, and she has no appetite.· World governments are becoming increasingly concerned about rising global temperature levels.concerned for: · Rescuers are concerned for the safety of two men trapped in the mine.
formal worried and a little frightened about something that you are going to do or about the future, because you are not sure what it will be like: · Dr Gottlieb reassures apprehensive patients that the operation is a simple procedure. apprehensive about: · I must admit that before my baby was born I was very apprehensive about motherhood.· No one need be apprehensive about their personal safety; everything is under control.
worried and not happy with a situation, because you feel there may be something wrong and you are not sure what is going to happen: make somebody uneasy: · When I answered the telephone, no one was there, which made me uneasy.feel uneasy: · After a while she started to feel uneasy, and then scared.uneasy about: · Roger was a bit uneasy about the plan, but he agreed.· 75 percent of consumers said they were uneasy about using their credit cards over the Internet.distinctly uneasy (=very uneasy): · I was distinctly uneasy in his company, but I couldn't explain why.have the/an uneasy feeling: · She had the uneasy feeling that he wasn't going to come back.
very worried, disappointed, and upset by something that has happened: · Hardeep's lawyer said his client was 'shocked and dismayed' after hearing the court's decision.dismayed at/by: · American historians are dismayed at the condition of the texts stored in the library.dismayed to see/hear etc: · We were dismayed to discover that our daughter Louise had started experimenting with heroin.dismayed that: · Danby was dismayed that Watt had opposed him in the vote.· Many of the nurses are dismayed that the management intends to make further service reductions.
informal if you do not like the look or sound of something, it makes you feel worried and unhappy because it seems threatening or dangerous: · I don't like the look of that rash on your chest.· The captain's face darkened as he listened. 'I don't like the sound of this,' he said.· Don't let anyone into your home that you don't like the look of.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 2nouns There was an uneasy truce between Alex and Dave over dinner.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· There was an uneasy peace in the region for nearly three years before the conflict flared up again.
· It was an uneasy truce, however, and tension was never far from the surface.
· Things seemed quiet enough, but it was an uneasy calm.
· The government is based on an uneasy alliance between Christian Democrats and Socialists.
· The result was an uneasy compromise which no-one liked.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=one that people are not very happy with)· The deal represented an uneasy compromise.
(=when people have agreed to stop fighting, but the situation is not really calm)· An uneasy peace prevails in the region.
(=in which you keep moving or waking)· My alarm woke me from a fitful sleep.
There was an uneasy truce between Alex and Dave over dinner.· A multi-racial couple in the crowd look distinctly uneasy.· For the past half-hour she had been feeling distinctly uneasy as the ever-present shadows had deepened into almost impenetrable blackness.
· She thought she was glad when they left, but in fact she was more uneasy than ever.· But as the time goes on, I begin to feel more uneasy myself.· That thought made Meredith even more uneasy.· When they arrived to find truckloads of people encamped at the derelict village, Antheil became even more uneasy.· The silence between them becomes ever more uneasy.· I feel even more uneasy to find the alien proceedings wearing such an everyday look.· It made Charity even more uneasy about Mandy unabashedly training the binoculars on him.
· Nobody will blame me if I say that in the circumstances I became very uneasy.· I told her, for my own part, that I would feel very uneasy making that kind of statement.· He felt very uneasy about entering this dark building with an ill-tempered stranger.· I am very uneasy every Sunday, which is cloudy and deathly still and filled with silent accusing whispers. 5.· The relation between archbishop and prime minister became at times very uneasy.· We had had a very uneasy conversation in the cafeteria after class one day.· I started to feel very uneasy.· Even as he spoke to me I felt very uneasy.
NOUN· Rothermere, a much bigger newspaper owner, supported Beaverbrook in uneasy alliance.
· Five years on, they have reached an uneasy compromise of separate stages, each with its own cast of characters.· Gordon explained that I would be permitted to remain under a set of conditions that obviously represented an uneasy compromise.· The result was the uneasy compromise between deterrent and retributive aims that characterised neoclassicism.· The result was an uneasy compromise, in which for some meetings there would be a chairperson, in others not.· Typical of the uneasy compromises that resulted was the Ten Articles of Faith laid down by convocation in 1536.
· But Breeze still had an uneasy feeling that it was something more.· And she had the uneasy feeling that the stormy feelings between them weren't going to blow themselves out, either.· We have an uneasy feeling about where it's going.· Equally, I suspect a good few were left with an uneasy feeling in the pit of their stomachs.· He had an uneasy feeling that it was going to cause trouble.· All these uneasy feelings that were at the back of her mind from time to time.· I have the uneasy feeling he heard voices all day long, talking all kinds of blah to him.· I had the uneasy feeling it would not be so simple.
· So complete was this victory that it ensured a kind of uneasy peace for nearly three years.· There was a strange, uneasy peace in the city.· After the devastation an uneasy peace settled over the Empire.· With an uneasy peace prevailing along the border the international community launched a series of missions to defuse the crisis.· But now the ship was almost ready and though the uneasy peace remained intact, soon it would be broken.
· Gilligan's work also emphasizes psychology's uneasy relationship with male-identified science.· Whatever is happening, the uneasy relationship between Alan and Pete Swan, the two lawyers, has not improved.· Socialists have an uneasy relationship with management.· One of these is its uneasy relationship with biology.· New printers had to be found, which ended It's uneasy relationship with hot metal.· On the other hand there are administrative and financial costs to employers and potentially uneasy relationships with employees.
· The uneasy silence of the small hours fell over the hospital.· There was a moment of uneasy silence before Ray McGovern raised his hand.· An uneasy silence reigned for a moment, and then finally Mr Lewis rose to his feet.
· For the next seventy years an uneasy truce prevailed, until hostilities were resumed in 1644.· After a while, an uneasy truce was reached.· But it may also be an uneasy truce, which can only be sustained as long as certain questions are not asked.· One inhabits it like an occupying army and makes, at best, an uneasy truce with it.· It can, as in snails, lead to victory or to defeat; or to an uneasy truce.· It was as if an uneasy truce had been called.· But after a hurriedly arranged meeting, involving the national gipsy council, an uneasy truce was reached.· It was an uneasy truce, however, with clear signs of tension persisting.
WORD FAMILYnouneaseuneaseeasinessuneasinessadverbeasilyuneasilyeasyadjectiveeasyuneasyverbease
1worried or slightly afraid because you think that something bad might happenuneasy about Ninety percent of those questioned felt uneasy about nuclear power.► see thesaurus at nervous, worried2used to describe a period of time when people have agreed to stop fighting or arguing, but which is not really calmuneasy peace/truce/alliance/compromise The treaty restored an uneasy peace to the country.3not comfortable, peaceful, or relaxed: She eventually fell into an uneasy sleep.—uneasily adverb: Bill shifted uneasily in his chair. Charles’ concern for the environment sits uneasily with (=does not fit well with) his collection of powerful cars.—uneasiness noun [uncountable]COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2nounsan uneasy peace· There was an uneasy peace in the region for nearly three years before the conflict flared up again.an uneasy truce· It was an uneasy truce, however, and tension was never far from the surface.an uneasy calm· Things seemed quiet enough, but it was an uneasy calm.an uneasy alliance/relationship· The government is based on an uneasy alliance between Christian Democrats and Socialists.an uneasy compromise· The result was an uneasy compromise which no-one liked.