disquiet
C2Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
A feeling of worry, unease, or anxiety.
Also used as a verb meaning to disturb, unsettle, or make someone anxious. As an adjective, describing a state of being uneasy.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Disquiet" is more formal and literary than "worry". It often implies a deeper, more persistent, or more profound sense of unease, sometimes about a broader situation rather than a personal concern.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Equally used and understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more literary/formal register in both, with no special regional connotation.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech for both, but appears in formal writing, journalism, and literature in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] disquiet among [group]disquiet about/over/at [issue]disquiet that [clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a deep sense of disquiet”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports: "The merger caused considerable disquiet among shareholders."
Academic
In political science: "The policy shift generated public disquiet and led to protests."
Everyday
Less common, but possible: "There's a real sense of disquiet in the neighbourhood about the new development."
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields like engineering or medicine. More common in social/political analysis.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The minister's vague answers disquieted many MPs.
- News of the job losses disquieted the entire workforce.
American English
- The poll results disquieted party strategists.
- His sudden change in demeanor disquieted me.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form. Use 'disquietingly' from 'disquieting').
American English
- (No standard adverbial form. Use 'disquietingly' from 'disquieting').
adjective
British English
- She had a disquiet feeling that something was wrong.
- (Note: 'disquieted' is the participial adjective, but 'uneasy' is far more common.)
American English
- He wore a disquiet expression throughout the meeting.
- (The adjectival use is rare; 'disquieting' or 'uneasy' are preferred.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There is some disquiet about the new school rules.
- The strange noise filled her with disquiet.
- The government's decision caused widespread disquiet among environmental groups.
- Despite the calm weather, a deep disquiet settled over the village.
- The CEO's resignation statement, far from reassuring investors, only sowed further disquiet in the markets.
- A profound intellectual disquiet underpins much of her later philosophical work.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DIS-QUIET' as the opposite of 'quiet peace'. It's when your peace is disrupted, leading to unease.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEACE/QUIET IS A SUBSTANCE that can be taken away (dis-quieted); ANXIETY/UNEASE IS A DISTURBANCE (of the peace/quiet).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not equivalent to "discomfort" (физический дискомфорт). "Disquiet" is primarily mental/emotional.
- Not a direct synonym for "worry" (беспокойство) in casual contexts; it's more formal.
- The adjective "disquieted" is rare; "uneasy" or "anxious" are more common.
- Avoid confusing with "disquieting" (adjective) meaning 'causing unease'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'I have a disquiet' - incorrect). It's usually uncountable.
- Overusing in everyday conversation where 'worry' or 'concern' is more natural.
- Misspelling as 'disquite'.
- Using the verb form ('it disquiets me') is grammatically correct but very rare and literary.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'disquiet' most appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a mid-to-low frequency word, more common in formal writing, journalism, and literature than in everyday conversation.
It's grammatically possible but unnatural. More natural phrases are "I feel uneasy," "I have a sense of disquiet," or "It causes me disquiet."
'Anxiety' can be a clinical term and is generally stronger. 'Disquiet' is less intense and more situational, often describing a collective mood. 'Anxiety' is more personal and common in general use.
No, the verb form is quite rare and literary. In most contexts, writers would use 'disturb', 'unsettle', 'trouble', or 'cause disquiet among'.
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