uneasily
gb/ʌnˈizəli/ us/ʌnˈizəli/
B2
English
idegesen, feszülten, kényelmetlenül, nyugtalanul
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] + [verb] + uneasily
She smiled uneasily when the interviewer asked about the gap in her résumé.
Idegesen elmosolyodott, amikor az interjúztató rákérdezett az önéletrajzában lévő kihagyásra.
He laughed uneasily, unsure whether the comment was meant as a joke.
Idegesen felnevetett, mert nem tudta, hogy a megjegyzést viccnek szánták-e.
They waited uneasily for the test results to come back.
Learner examples
I smiled uneasily.
Idegesen elmosolyodtam.
She looked uneasily at the door.
Idegesen az ajtóra nézett.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with the adjective uneasy (e.g., 'I feel uneasy'). Uneasily describes how an action is done.
Meaning
in an anxious or nervous way
Collocations
smile uneasily
|laugh uneasily
|glance uneasily
|look uneasily at [someone/something]
|speak uneasily
|wait uneasily
|watch uneasily
|ask uneasily
|reply uneasily
|breathe uneasily
Synonyms
nervously (Often suggests visible tension or fear.)
|
anxiously (Emphasizes worry about a possible outcome.)
Antonyms
calmly (Without worry or nervousness.)
|
confidently (With self-assurance rather than anxiety.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily_life
Definition
in a worried or nervous way
In a worried, nervous, or uneasy way, often showing concern about what might happen.
B2
2
nyugtalanul
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] + [verb] + uneasily (+ [place/position])
He shifted uneasily in his chair and tried to find a better position.
Kényelmetlenül fészkelődött a székében, és próbált jobb helyzetet találni.
After the long flight, she slept uneasily in the hotel bed.
A hosszú repülőút után nyugtalanul aludt a szállodai ágyban.
The child lay uneasily under the heavy blanket.
Learner examples
He sat uneasily on the hard bench.
Kényelmetlenül ült a kemény padon.
I slept uneasily last night.
Tegnap éjjel nyugtalanul aludtam.
Common mistake:
Uneasily is not the same as 'with difficulty' (that meaning is rare in modern English).
Meaning
in a physically uncomfortable way
Collocations
shift uneasily
|sit uneasily
|sleep uneasily
|move uneasily
|lie uneasily
|stir uneasily
|fidget uneasily
|rest uneasily
|squirm uneasily
|settle uneasily
Synonyms
uncomfortably (Directly emphasizes physical discomfort.)
|
awkwardly (Often suggests an uneasy posture or movement.)
Antonyms
comfortably (With physical ease and no discomfort.)
|
easily (Without strain or awkwardness.)
Themes
body
|health
|daily_life
Definition
in an uncomfortable or awkward way
In a way that shows physical discomfort, restlessness, or awkwardness, often by moving or sitting without ease.
Grammar
Dictionary form
uneasily
IPA
GB/ʌnˈizəli/
US/ʌnˈizəli/
Syllables & stress
un - eas - ily (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (eas)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: uneasily
- Plural: uneasilies
Expressions
laugh uneasily
1/lˈæf ʌnˈizəli/
fixed phrase
give a nervous laugh
to laugh because you feel nervous
Examples
- She laughed uneasily and changed the subject.
- He laughed uneasily at the joke, unsure whether it was appropriate.
- They laughed uneasily when the microphone picked up their private conversation.
Learner examples
- He laughed uneasily.
shift uneasily (in/on [something])
1/ʃˈɪft ʌnˈizəli ɪnən sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
move restlessly from discomfort
to move a little because you feel uncomfortable
Examples
- He shifted uneasily on the stool while everyone watched him.
- The students shifted uneasily in their seats when the principal walked in.
- She shifted uneasily from foot to foot, waiting for her name to be called.
Learner examples
- I shifted uneasily in my seat.
sit uneasily with [something]
1/sˈɪt ʌnˈizəli wˈɪθ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
seem incompatible or contradictory
to not fit well with something else
Examples
- The plan to cut staff sits uneasily with the company’s promise to protect jobs.
- His public apology sat uneasily with the private messages that later appeared online.
- That explanation sits uneasily with what we saw on the security footage.
Learner examples
- That decision sits uneasily with our values.
sleep uneasily
1/slˈip ʌnˈizəli/
fixed phrase
sleep badly from worry
to sleep badly and wake up a lot
Examples
- He slept uneasily, waking every hour to check his phone.
- They slept uneasily in the unfamiliar room.
- After the argument, she slept uneasily and felt tired in the morning.
Learner examples
- I slept uneasily last night.