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Definitions

ill (at ease)

ADJECTIVE
uncomfortable
Synonyms
WEAK
anxious awkward discomfited disquieted disturbed doubtful edgy faltering fidgety hesitant nervous on edge on tenterhooks restless self-conscious suspicious tense uneasy unrelaxed unsettled unsure
Antonyms
WEAK
at ease comfortable
ill at ease
ADJECTIVE
not feeling at ease
Synonyms
WEAK
anxious apprehensive awkward discomfited disquieted disturbed doubtful edgy faltering fidgety hesitant insecure nervous on edge on pins and needles on tenterhooks out of place restless self-conscious shy suspicious tense uncomfortable uneasy unrelaxed unsettled unsure
Antonyms
WEAK
at ease comfortable content

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Both feel socially ill at ease up against “the townspeople of Pennacook,” another refrain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

They bond, feeling mutually ill at ease in the bathroom at a school function while, coincidentally, wearing the same dress.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025

Taft wrote that he “would feel ill at ease to come into the Court after having been President as the junior of my own appointees and of the man I tried to defeat.”

From Seattle Times • Jan. 27, 2023

Back in the City fold, De Bruyne looked ill at ease as he ambled around last weekend's friendly win over Girona, even though he scored.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2022

The captain had only to look at him to see that the white knight was ill at ease.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin