restless

1 of 2

adjective

rest·​less ˈrest-ləs 

1

: lacking or denying rest : uneasy

a restless night

2

: continuously moving : unquiet

the restless sea

3

: characterized by or manifesting unrest especially of mind

restless pacing

also : changeful, discontented

was becoming restless and unhappy with his job

The audience was restless.

restlessly adverb

restlessness noun

restlessness

2 of 2

noun

rest·​less·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being restless

Synonyms of restless

Adjective

• uneasy
• troubled
• unsettled
• anxious
• restive

Examples of restless in a Sentence

Adjective

restless children who can't sit still

The audience was becoming restless.

He started to feel restless and discontent in his job.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For a restless brain, the quiet room doesn’t feel like leadership so much as isolation, so people slide back into admin work without really deciding to. — Chris Kille, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Two males and one female, the cubs were restless during Tuesday’s vaccination. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

The dog was restless without his owner, and would look for men who resembled Vela Gonzalez on every walk, Cabrera said. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Atticus, like the best actors, just seems a complete natural in front of the camera and creates a haunting portrait of a young man whose violent restless nature is not easy to tame, even as Clemens’ empathetic Rebecca tries. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing restless

• restless legs syndrome

Kids Definition

restless

adjective

rest·​less ˈrest-ləs 

1

: being without rest : giving no rest

a restless night

2

: always moving

the restless sea

3

: showing one to be uneasy

restless pacing back and forth

restlessly adverb

restlessness noun

Medical Definition

restless

adjective

rest·​less ˈrest-ləs 

1

: deprived of rest or sleep

the patient was restless from pain

2

: providing no rest

a restless night