uneasy
gb/ʌnˈizi/ us/ʌnˈizi/
B1
English
~ 4000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
feeling worried or anxious
Feeling worried, nervous, or not comfortable about something.
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels uneasy about [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'uneasy' with 'difficult'. 'Uneasy' describes a feeling, not the level of difficulty.
Synonyms
anxious (Often stronger and more intense than 'uneasy', with a focus on worry.)
|
nervous (Similar but can also refer to physical jitteriness, not just mental discomfort.)
Antonyms
relaxed (Describes being calm and free from worry, the opposite of uneasy.)
|
comfortable (Implies physical or emotional ease, without tension or worry.)
Collocations
feel uneasy
|look uneasy
|make [someone] uneasy
|uneasy silence
|uneasy feeling
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She felt uneasy about meeting him alone.
- There was an uneasy silence in the room.
- He grew uneasy as the storm approached.
- I always get uneasy when I have to speak in public.
- The teacher's tone made the students uneasy.
Learner examples
- I feel uneasy about the test tomorrow.
- The dog looks uneasy around strangers.
- He is uneasy when he talks to new people.
- She feels uneasy walking home at night.
- The news made me feel uneasy.
adjective
B2
property
2
not stable or secure
Not safe or steady; likely to change or cause problems.
Usage pattern:
[something] is uneasy
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'uneasy' here with 'uncomfortable'. In this sense, it describes situations, not personal feelings.
Synonyms
unstable (Focuses on physical or structural instability.)
|
precarious (Emphasizes risk and danger in the situation.)
Antonyms
stable (Firm, steady, and unlikely to change suddenly.)
|
secure (Safe and protected from danger or change.)
Collocations
uneasy peace
|uneasy alliance
|uneasy relationship
Themes
safety
|stability
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The two countries maintained an uneasy peace for years.
- It was an uneasy alliance between former enemies.
- The chair felt uneasy under his weight.
- Their friendship remained uneasy after the argument.
Learner examples
- We have an uneasy peace with our neighbors.
- The table is uneasy on the floor.
- They made an uneasy agreement.
- The team has an uneasy relationship with the coach.
Grammar
Dictionary form
uneasy
IPA
GB/ʌnˈizi/
US/ʌnˈizi/
Syllables & stress
un - easy (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (easy)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: uneasy
- Comparative: uneasier
- Superlative: uneasiest
Word family
Expressions
an uneasy alliance
1/ən ʌnˈizi əlˈaɪəns/
fixed phrase
unstable alliance between groups
A partnership between people or groups that do not fully trust each other.
Examples
- The political parties formed an uneasy alliance to pass the bill.
- It was an uneasy alliance between rivals.
an uneasy peace
1/ən ʌnˈizi pˈis/
fixed phrase
fragile peace between parties
A peace that is not strong and may end soon.
Examples
- The two nations have maintained an uneasy peace for decades.
- After the protest, there was an uneasy peace in the city.
an uneasy truce
1/ən ʌnˈizi tɹˈus/
fixed phrase
truce with ongoing tension
A truce where two sides have stopped fighting or arguing, but they still do not trust each other and the trouble may start again.
Examples
- The gangs agreed to an uneasy truce after months of violence.
- There is an uneasy truce between the two political parties after the election.
- There was an uneasy truce between management and workers.
- The couple live in an uneasy truce, trying not to talk about money or the past.
- An uneasy truce exists between the rival gangs, and the police fear it may break at any time.