RESTIVENESS Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

restiveness

noun

Definition of restiveness

as in turmoil

a disturbed or uneasy state the nighttime tornado warnings were the likely source of the restiveness that could be felt all over town

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unease

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 & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of restiveness Even from the start, flickers of restiveness appear. — Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 20 May 2026 Now as then, insecurity at Nigerian schools in the north is occurring in the context of a broad rash of violence across the country, from farmer-herder conflicts in the east and central regions, armed banditry attacks in the northwest, and youth restiveness in the south. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for restiveness

Noun

The weaker economic data is a sign that sluggish consumption at home is outweighing recent strength in Chinese exports, and the nation is not immune from the economic turmoil caused by the war in Iran.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Gold is a safe-haven asset that investors gravitate toward when economic and political turmoil erupts, sending waves through the markets.

— Liz Knueven, CNBC, 14 July 2026

Definition of turmoil

Noun

Police said Friday there is no indication that the killing was politically motivated, but her death has renewed unease about the safety of Britain’s politicians after two others were killed in the last decade.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 11 July 2026
The contradictions of their closeness aren’t papered over; the unease is allowed to linger, inflamed and ineradicable.

— Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 July 2026

Definition of unease

Noun

Xenophobic unrest in South Africa has become a painful cost of doing business, executives warned, signalling that companies are bracing for prolonged instability in a country eager to draw fresh investment.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 10 July 2026
As the train pulls into Srinagar, Kashmir’s capital and a hotbed of the 2019 unrest, Abdul Rasheed Mir is waiting for a local train to his hometown of Qazigund.

— Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 8 July 2026

Definition of unrest

Noun

Broglio also hopes that athletes learn to look for symptoms such as anxiety, depression and cognitive issues, because many are very treatable.

— Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
Researchers and psychologists agree that this feeling can fuel anxiety, dissatisfaction, and a constant need to stay connected, for fear of missing an opportunity, an event, or an experience.

— Ana Morales, Vogue, 11 July 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

Trustee Robert Jones renewed his worries that the creation of a subdivision of only the Sacramento and Yolo County portions of the district in April excluded conservative voters in El Dorado County who would likely to vote against the bond measure.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Both relatively tolerant, despite the mothers’ initial worries about outsiders, the households mirror one another.

— Judy Berman, Time, 9 July 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

Its shuttering, alongside other long-standing landmarks like Taix restaurant, underscores Echo Park’s growing tension between new development and preserving neighborhood character.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Now, with countries around the world focusing on building sovereign satellite networks, amid geopolitical tensions, a UAE company is working to mass manufacture commercial satellites.

— Amy Gunia, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Definition of tension

Noun

The company wanted drug-containing particles to remain evenly distributed throughout the implants so healing nerves would receive a consistent supply of regenerative compounds.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
If nerves pop up, breathe and make the stakes low enough to keep moving.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026

Definition of nerves

Noun

Market jumpiness can serve as a good moment for those nearing the end of their career to make sure their nest egg is prepared for a downturn, Benz said.

— Annie Nova,Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Conference Board economist Dana Peterson noted these state indexes have a history of statistical jumpiness.

— Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025

Definition of jumpiness

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restive

restiveness

restless

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“Restiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restiveness. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of restiveness

noun

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