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
Joya was restless, not just her eyes but all of her.
—
Jhumpa Lahiri, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
But there’s also a fine line between being restless and being reckless, especially as their own record and the ups and downs of others clarify the landscape.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025
Women are more likely to point to frequent awakenings or restless sleep, Dr. Won says.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 June 2025
Higher nighttime temperatures can lead to insufficient or poor, restless sleep, which can compromise the immune system, increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and diminish cognitive performance.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for restless
Jhumpa Lahiri, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
But there’s also a fine line between being restless and being reckless, especially as their own record and the ups and downs of others clarify the landscape.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025
Women are more likely to point to frequent awakenings or restless sleep, Dr. Won says.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 25 June 2025
Higher nighttime temperatures can lead to insufficient or poor, restless sleep, which can compromise the immune system, increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and diminish cognitive performance.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for restless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restless
Adjective
-
Outlook: Stability or Strain? Oil markets in 2024 were defined by an uneasy equilibrium.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Given that uneasy reminder, the small victory ultimately won by King and his followers is even more extraordinary and potent.—
Sophie van Bastelaer,
EW.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
The choice of name was coincidental but Lee and Kirby were anxious to avoid any connection to radical politics.—
Ekow Eshun
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
-
My expectation is that the veteran who has been in the Octagon against some of the heaviest hitters in the UFC’s heavyweight division is going to be anxious to test the young man who only has 35 seconds of UFC fight time to his name.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
In 2023, a significant disruption to the project put one game mode in jeopardy, foreshadowing a more troubled development than anyone initially imagined.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 July 2025
-
With multiple open betas and a long, troubled development history, it’s taken a good while for the game to find its feet, but Mecha Break is now finally available to play on general release.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Even then, the fact that the package contained a bloody tracksuit is still disturbing and likely to create psychological trauma for the daughter.—
Jim Halterman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
-
In demand filmmaker Kim Tae-joon, who wrote and directed the disturbing tech thriller Unlocked for the streamer, is back with another feature that is sure to linger with its audience.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Lake Bluff village trustees are continuing to discuss issues related to its flag policy, but the matter remains unsettled.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
-
The dog had become restless, unsettled, and had reacted suddenly, snapping at whoever was closest, which happened to be me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
The unsettling noise was followed by a tense hour in the cabin, with many passengers crying, praying or showing signs of distress.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
10 July 2025
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Eyewitness accounts reported that the sweltering temperatures, along with swarms of flies from a nearby stable, contributed to a tense atmosphere and slowed down debate.—
Marianne Krasny,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Some of the richest Gulf Arab countries, such as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, will worry that the destabilizing effects of a heavy-handed regime change could stir their own sizable and restive Shia Muslim populations.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
24 June 2025
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The regime relies on repression—crackdowns, imprisonment, torture, executions—to maintain control of a stifled and restive population.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
Then there's the real world, which is entirely different, so in reality people have nothing to be nervous about.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
12 July 2025
-
The odds of a recession may be falling, but states appear to be betting that corporate leaders are still nervous.—
Scott Cohn,
CNBC,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restless. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
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