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

Of course, an occasional restless night may not be cause for concern, and most people experience them from time to time. —Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 3 June 2026

Less than 10 hours later, the restless sunspot crossed the threshold into X-class territory. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 3 June 2026

But summer jobs that begin in late May do not help restless teenagers in March. —Desmon Yancy, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026

All the junior right-hander had to do was retire Arvada West’s Levi Lueck with the tying runs in scoring position and nobody in the restless crowd sitting at All-Star Park. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 31 May 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