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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restless
Recent celebratory concerts dedicated to the two have been sites not of reverence but of restless rediscovery.
—
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Madsen exited the game midway through the first quarter with an injury, and Boise State lost 30-7, its offense reaching new levels of futility — and hearing a lot of boos from a restless crowd.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Nov. 2025
While at the first school my penchant for being boisterous and chatty was seen as charming, the girls at school two just viewed me as a restless chatterbox.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025
While some dog owners struggle with restless nights due to snoring or space-hogging canines, others, like the creator of this video, find joy and comfort in the company.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restless
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Madsen exited the game midway through the first quarter with an injury, and Boise State lost 30-7, its offense reaching new levels of futility — and hearing a lot of boos from a restless crowd.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Nov. 2025
While at the first school my penchant for being boisterous and chatty was seen as charming, the girls at school two just viewed me as a restless chatterbox.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025
While some dog owners struggle with restless nights due to snoring or space-hogging canines, others, like the creator of this video, find joy and comfort in the company.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restless
Adjective
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Rather than offering peace of mind from pest invasion, the chemical control process often leaves families feeling uneasy about what has been introduced so indiscriminately into their environment.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Cuomo led early polls, buoyed by name recognition and a coalition of moderate Democrats uneasy with the party’s leftward drift.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The self-laceration is done on Damon Albarn Time, though, as Idles’ usual anxious guitar rave-ups are slowed and stripped here to a skipping, reggae-ish crawl, as synths squeak in the background and Albarn offers support via his forever-distant, disembodied backing vocals.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
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Obviously, Meghan’s anxious about it.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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At first glance, Grace resembles the type of mothers who have become a dominant cinematic presence in recent years—women portrayed as troubled about being a caregiver.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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The film follows seventeen-year-old Katie Thompson, a troubled teen spiralling after the tragic death of her younger brother – a loss that has left her not only emotionally scarred but also cursed with a disturbing ability to glimpse the world beyond the living.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Despite already having declared her candidacy, McKnight voiced disturbing and violent threats against Sheehy.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 2025
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This story contains a description of a shooting some readers may find disturbing.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The midterm landscape remains unsettled just over a year before Election Day.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Each reluctant participant onthis unsettled game board has an urgent, urgent mission to fleeto the next appointment, meeting, carpool pickup.—
Leslie Simon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The lighthearted, yet slightly awkward moment stood out as a rarity among a season of tense uncertainty for McDaniel and the Dolphins, who sit at 3-7 on the year with increasingly long odds to make the playoffs.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
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From climate-resilient clinics to advanced protective lens technology, professionals are attempting to provide worthwhile and viable solutions to pressing present-tense issues.—
William Jones,
Ascend Agency,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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These political executions are a callous attempt by the authorities to frighten and silence an increasingly restive population no longer willing to accept their corrupt and oppressive rule.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Labour MPs are becoming restive.—
Anand Menon,
Time,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In 2024, Mark looked nervous watching Grace compete in a horse show.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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Senior dogs, puppies, or nervous rescues may require specialized care.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restless. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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