Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

restiveness

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of restiveness

1 a disturbed or uneasy state

  • the nighttime tornado warnings were the likely source of the restiveness that could be felt all over town
Synonyms of restiveness

disquiet, ferment, fermentation, restlessness, Sturm und Drang, turmoil, uneasiness, unquietness, unrest
Words Related to restiveness

fidgets

agitation, commotion, confusion, excitement, hubbub, moil, stir, storm, trouble, tumult, tumultuousness, turbulence, upheaval, uproar, unsettlement

disruption, perturbation

agitation, anxiety, disquietude, inquietude, queasiness, tension, unease

anarchy, chaos, disorder, welter
Near Antonyms of restiveness

order, orderliness
Antonyms of restiveness

calm, ease, peace, peacefulness, quiet, tranquillity (or tranquility)

2 a state of nervousness marked by sudden jerky movements

  • I sensed that his restiveness at breakfast probably had something to do with the big presentation he would be making at the sales conference
Synonyms of restiveness

edginess, fidgetiness, fidgets, flightiness, jitteriness, jumpiness, skittishness
Words Related to restiveness

agita, agitation, anxiety, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, disquiet, feverishness, franticness, freneticism, hand-wringing, perturbation, restlessness, trepidation, unease, uneasiness, upset, worry

nerves, tenseness, tension

butterflies, dither, heebie-jeebies, jimjams, jitters, shakes, shivers, willies
Near Antonyms of restiveness

confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence, sureness

control, self-control

aplomb, calm, calmness, collectedness, composure, coolness, ease, easiness, equanimity, equilibrium, imperturbability, poise, repose, self-possession, tranquillity (or tranquility), tranquilness

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up restiveness? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games