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Glite Dictionary
sinking feeling

sinking feeling

9 4.5
A sudden strong worry that something bad will happen
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ ˈfiːlɪŋ/
  • Informal
translation icon : sensación de hundimiento
  • I have a sinking feeling I'm going to be excommunicated for all this.
  • got a sinking feeling
  • sinking feeling in my stomach
  • terrible sinking feeling

I just had this, like, sinking feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach.

Examples

  • Do you know that terrible sinking feeling, when you've taken a big chance?

    The Million Dollar Hotel (2000)

  • Vicki had wanted to get out of that environment, and she had the sinking feeling it would never happen.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • You got that sinking feeling.

    Deathrow Gameshow (1987)

  • I have a sinking feeling that sex is out of the question for this trip.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • When I hear his voice, I get this sinking feeling.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • As a mom, I know that sinking feeling inside your body all too well.

    Blog text (27)

  • What was that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach?

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Even as he asked the question, Picard had a sinking feeling that he already knew the answer.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • In the silence, Noah felt a sinking feeling in his stomach.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • As she approached the podium to speak, a sinking feeling filled her chest, making her hesitate.

Synonyms

bad feeling
vssinking feeling
76 3.6

A sense that something bad may happen

is more sudden and clearly anxious, not just vague unease or suspicion
foreboding
vssinking feeling
9 8.0

A strong feeling that something bad is going to happen

is more sudden and anxious, focusing on immediate dread rather than general sense
sinking
vssinking feeling
4 5.8

A sudden nervous feeling in your stomach when you expect bad news

is the fuller phrase naming that sudden dread rather than the shorter form

Antonyms

calmness
9 2.7

A state without strong feelings or worry in your mind

How Anxious

dread
58 2.8
alarm
159 2.3
sinking feeling
  • Informal
9 4.5
worry
290 1.0
unease
19 4.4

Surface Forms

sinking feeling singular
sinking feelings plural

Morphology

sinking + feeling

The compound uses a clear bodily metaphor: 'sinking' (going down, a heavy/or dropping sensation) combined with 'feeling' signals an unpleasant emotional state, so learners who know both words can infer a negative or uneasy emotion. However, the specific nuance of sudden dread or the sense that something bad will happen is metaphorical and not fully predictable from the literal meanings, so prior exposure helps.

Etymology

The phrase sinking feeling comes from the image of sinking, like a small boat going down, or your stomach suddenly dropping so you notice a strong feeling inside. That's why it means 'a sudden worry or dread'.