restless

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

Synonyms of restless

• uneasy
• troubled
• unsettled
• anxious
• restive

Examples of restless in a Sentence

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

But for Farelo, a restless artist who describes herself as endlessly curious, that was just the beginning. —Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2026

The restless first movement does quite a variety of things with an underlying waltz rhythm. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026

Romance between restless second son Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), the illegitimate daughter of an earl who comes to work as a maid for the Bridgerton family, bucked Regency-era societal conventions. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 3 Mar. 2026

The second half of My Days of 58 is more closely connected to Callahan’s past few releases, with songs about the therapeutic benefits of travel and the restless life of touring. —Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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