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 Geographically restless and lonely people everywhere are jealous! — Shayla Love, Vox, 25 Oct. 2026 Mouth taping promises an easy fix for snoring, dry mouth and restless nights, and your TikTok feed may already be full of influencers swearing by it. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026 As for the neighborhood, the Brera district is a favorite of both locals and visitors with its unique atmosphere that combines the best of historic Milan with the restless and infectious energy of the city’s creative scene today. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 Marked by restless lines, these works depict a woman tentatively emerging from a cocoon in a ritual of transformation and emancipation. — Tatiane De Assis, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 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
  • That uneasy feeling settles over the rest of Infinite Now like suffocating humidity.
    — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Some support industrial policy but are uneasy about framing it principally around competition with China.
    — THOMAS WRIGHT, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • Rushing to your appointment, feeling anxious, or drinking caffeine can raise your blood pressure.
    — Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Many in Iran are anxious about a possible return to all-out war.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of major investments in stadiums and arenas, governments must first prioritise the development of the troubled local sports sector.
    — Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Amy Adams is mesmerizing as our troubled heroine, with Patricia Clarkson as her overbearing mother and Eliza Scanlen as her mysterious half-sister.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of troubled
Adjective
  • Gainey could not be reached for comment, but while the current O'Connor administration has been cooperating with investigators, Chief of Staff Dann Gilman said these revelations are disturbing.
    — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Even at their most disturbing, scenes describing carnage tend to be colorful and amusing.
    — Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • However, the lack of a hybrid option, the touchscreen-heavy climate controls, and the occasionally unsettled ride prevent the Atlas from separating itself from the pack.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But instead of bringing unsettled weather, the offshore storm helped produce cloud-free skies from Maine to Florida.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsettled
Adjective
  • Photographed here in his at-home music studio in 1978, the singer’s career was on the upswing—but his relationship with Weber was growing tense.
    — Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Abdul El-Sayed may have clinched a historic victory in Michigan, but his tense exchange with a Sky News reporter on election night is not winning him supporters in the UK.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of tense
Adjective
  • Mattel thwarted restive shareholders by inviting one of them to come inside and play.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of restive
Adjective
  • Meyers' thinking is that as the odds go up of a Democratic party win, investors are getting more nervous about parts of the artificial intelligence trade.
    — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Later on, after the guests have left, this cheating convention makes Kaylee nervous.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of nervous

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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 6 Nov. 2026.

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