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 Her book is a panoramic, abundantly detailed history of a century of turmoil and restless migratory movements gravitating around El Paso. — Julia Preston, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026 Neither team has pressed forward with much conviction in the first 15 minutes, and after some back-and-forth passing on the back line of the Netherlands' defense, boos could be heard from restless spectators in Monterrey. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026 But the Champions Gate should’ve been placed at an entrance to the actual ballpark and not to Gallagher Way, which is basically used as an area for fans to bring kids who are too restless to sit and watch an entire game. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 Lane noted that the day’s iconic venues in Old City Philadelphia fittingly represent the birthplace of the very first startup—America itself—reminders that the American story has always been intertwined with ideas, enterprise, capital and the restless pursuit of a better future. — Forbes Press Releases, Forbes.com, 25 June 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
  • The company and the government have since seemed to settle into an uneasy truce.
    — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 1 July 2026
  • But some retirees remain uneasy about security concerns, healthcare quality, and property ownership structures.
    — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • Max is accompanied on his adventures by anxious robot C-3PO AB Sitter, and FX, a magical alien masquerading as a toy who can turn the kid's implausibly impressive sand sculptures into fully functioning robots.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 5 July 2026
  • America’s centennial in 1876 was celebrated with a grand exhibition that projected an image of national unity and inventiveness in the anxious aftermath of civil war and recession.
    — The New York Review of Books, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • The movie follows Gugino as a grieving woman who takes in her troubled nephew, but their lives are upended when an otherworldly entity begins hunting him.
    — Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • Seeking a fresh start, Ellie moves into a house on Delaney Row hoping to leave her troubled past behind, only to discover that her new home is steeped in dark secrets and unsettling mysteries.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 3 July 2026
Definition of troubled
Adjective
  • And so the disturbing part of the dissent in the mail ballot case was that this was about a very narrow issue, whether ballots that are postmarked by Election Day can be counted if they're received in some period after.
    — Tonya Mosley, NPR, 8 July 2026
  • The film is a modern take on creature horror movies told from the perspective of a young boy who slowly begins to discover his beloved parents are hiding a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 7 July 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • The unsettled conference status for Ursuline is causing the school harm, the complaint contends.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026
  • After a stormy Fourth of July weekend, Baltimore will begin the week with unsettled weather as a slow-moving system lingers over the region.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026
Definition of unsettled
Adjective
  • In May, during a tense commission meeting, a majority of commissioners declined to give her a raise after her first year on the job.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • Both of these factors lead to tense – but also quite funny –moments.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026
Definition of tense
Adjective
  • Iran’s new leaders are acutely aware that Iranians remain restive and expect the government to ease their economic plight.
    — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2026
  • However, while voters are restive and angry, this ungovernability cannot all be blamed on them.
    — Ian King, CNBC, 24 June 2026
Definition of restive
Adjective
  • At Clis boutique in Melrose Park, owner Jeimmy Espina is nervous and overwhelmed by the number of dead and injured in her home country.
    — Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Apple head honchos are nervous about cybersecurity – and one reason might be a recent supply chain attack on supplier Tata, the largest Indian company of its kind to ink a partnership with the front-running American smartphone company.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 30 June 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 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on restless

Nglish: Translation of restless for Spanish Speakers

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