restless

adjective

ˈrest-ləs How to pronounce restless (audio)
Definition of restlessnext
1
as in uneasy
lacking or denying rest the worried mother spent a restless night, tossing and turning in bed for hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in anxious
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings the figure skater was visibly restless as she waited for her scores to be posted

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 restless The passionate fans, especially the loyalists in his native Michigan, were getting too restless and noisy. — Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Maybe beauty's scientists and creators were feeling particularly restless over this past year and wanted to challenge themselves. — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026 Two males and one female, the cubs were restless during vaccinations. — Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 For a restless brain, the quiet room doesn’t feel like leadership so much as isolation, so people slide back into admin work without really deciding to. — Chris Kille, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for restless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restless
  1. uneasy
  2. anxious
  3. troubled
  4. disturbing
  5. unsettled
  6. tense
  7. restive
  8. nervous
Adjective
  • Many of the women interviewed still feel uneasy about the experience.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There was some uneasy laughter, and then, what everyone else was too afraid to say came from the only person who could.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • As in the thriller, anxious local leaders debated whether publicizing the peril would scare off tourists.
    — Bob Drogin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Because of these risks, many conservation groups and lawmakers are anxious to see permanent protections.
    — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • Morales recalled overhearing Ramirez on the phone in January confiding in someone about her troubled relationship.
    — Theodore Parisienne, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Still, the concern extends beyond political disagreement for the anonymous worker who left the troubled Livingston production behind.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of troubled
Adjective
  • Brian had written down the recipe, and, in his back shed, Michael, with the eventual assistance of Kasey, sets about following it into strange and disturbing territory.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Artificial’s timeliness in that regard is striking, even disturbing.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • But key details of the new Medi-Cal requirements remained unsettled.
    — JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Why the Fourth Amendment matters The law remains unsettled on ALPR use.
    — Henry F. Fradella, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsettled
Adjective
  • Neither starter excelled on a tense, uncommonly hot October night in downtown San Diego.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The conversation seems to turn tense when Hanks speaks face-to-face with André and security personnel block the view.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of tense
Adjective
  • Pakistani security forces killed five militants in an intense shootout and freed 23 hostages in the country’s restive southwest, the military said Sunday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Midterm elections are historically challenging for a president’s party as restive voters seek change.
    — Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of restive
Adjective
  • Everyone was in a good mood, if a little nervous about what was going to be discussed.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Alberto Hernandez Castillo, a Cuban national with lawful permanent residence in the United States, was also acting nervous, the agent said.
    — David Goodhue October 6, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of nervous

Browse Nearby Words

restiveness
restless
restlessness
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Cite this Entry

“Restless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restless. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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