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

The denial was a hit to Wilber’s spirit, but Yadira tried to calm the restless teenager. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Unlike more overtly depressive takes on this role, Bos’ Hamlet is impetuous and sardonic, often bounding up three stairs in a single step and unspooling his words, words, words as if his mouth can’t keep up with his restless mind. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

The London trio updates the naive humanism of 2000s indie-folk with modern dread and restless experimentation on its ambitious full-length debut. — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 7 July 2026

Her book is a panoramic, abundantly detailed history of a century of turmoil and restless migratory movements gravitating around El Paso. — Julia Preston, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 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