ill at ease

adjective

Definition of ill at easenext
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty I'm usually ill at ease when addressing a large crowd of people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ill at ease Maurice, who had a troubled childhood marked by illness and emotional neglect, was negative and socially ill at ease. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2025 In her mind, the community in her fictional story should be one of privilege, a circumstance in which Ruth, who grew up in a working-class Yiddish family, could initially feel ill at ease. — Esther Zuckerman, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for ill at ease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill at ease
  1. worried
  2. upset
  3. anxious
  4. nervous
  5. troubled
  6. uneasy
Adjective
  • With more rain on the way this weekend, a Chicago children's theater is worried.
    — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • With the vastly higher rate of vulnerability identification, Google is worried bad actors will also be able to identify software flaws faster.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • Baltimore City's latest crackdown on dirt bikes has some riders upset and asking for the mayor and police commissioner to meet with them.
    — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 29 July 2026
  • The day nurse is 100 percent correct that Catherine is crashing there, but no one really seems too upset about it.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 July 2026
Definition of upset
Adjective
  • Kids who, like him, are growing up afraid and anxious because of domestic violence at home, and who need what Torre didn’t have — somewhere safe to go to for help.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
  • In June, a group of anxious European policy researchers issued Europe 2031, a scenario in which civilization between the Urals and the Atlantic ends up at least functionally extinct.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • If your new pet seems shy, nervous or withdrawn, don't panic.
    — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • In the moments leading up to the big question, Morando was admittedly nervous.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • Beyond America’s troubled EV industry, Tesla is doing more than just surviving.
    — Tim Levin, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
  • That can open the door for troubled cops to hop from one police department to another.
    — Meg Anderson, NPR, 23 July 2026
Definition of troubled
Adjective
  • The two had been in an uneasy alliance ruling the country following the 2019 overthrow of Sudan’s longtime dictator, Omar al-Bashir, who had been in power since 1989.
    — Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
  • In the upcoming third season, Kimmie finally has a seat at the Bellarie table, but when a deadly family feud erupts, she’s forced into an uneasy alliance with Mallory.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 July 2026
Definition of uneasy

Browse Nearby Words

ill-advised
ill at ease
illaudable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ill at ease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill%20at%20ease. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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