unrest

noun

un·​rest ˌən-ˈrest 

: a disturbed, uneasy, or turbulent state : turmoil

The country has experienced years of civil/social/political unrest.

Synonyms of unrest

• turmoil

Examples of unrest in a Sentence

The country has experienced years of civil unrest.

unrest gripped the city as the people nervously awaited the expected bombardment

Recent Examples on the Web

The government, focussed on unrest among struggling farmers and car owners facing surging gas prices, not to mention on the debt crisis, didn’t see the student movement coming. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026

Union leaders also distanced themselves from the unrest, saying those responsible were not affiliated with their movement. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

The investigation found at least 18 instances of civil unrest and at least 20 cases of water or air pollution tied to Indian fishmeal plants. — Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines are among the countries that are most exposed to food security risk from the super El Niño and also face the highest risk of civil unrest due to rising prices, Verisk Maplecroft said. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unrest

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed

Kids Definition

unrest

noun

un·​rest ˌən-ˈrest 

ˈən-

: lack of rest : a disturbed or uneasy state : turmoil