1
as in turmoil
a disturbed or uneasy state
the restlessness of the crowd was apparent as it waited to learn whether the football player was seriously injured
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boredom
the state of being bored
she began to pick at the grass near her hammock out of sheer restlessness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restlessness
The fact that 41% may leave HR could stem from exhaustion rather than just restlessness.
—
Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
Cancer Pisces season always leads to an uptick in restlessness for you, because there’s so much happening in your ninth house of adventure.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
For example, what looks like physical hyperactivity in childhood may manifest as internal restlessness later in life.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
Paying close attention to how each pillow affected their sleep, and any improvements in neck pain, restlessness, and temperature regulation, to determine which pillows made the grade as the most luxurious options out there, both in sleep feel and in material makeup.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026
Tidy a corner to open space and light — even small shifts can lift your adventurous mood and settle your buzzing restlessness.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
Some signs of withdrawal from kratom might include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle/joint aches, restlessness, runny nose, excessive yawning, and hot or cold flashes.
—Gary Kirkilas Ii, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
The exercise of power, not surprisingly, contributed to the restlessness of a busy mind that waged battles against a committed opposition.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Even in his stillest moments, Reilly hums with the restlessness of a jazz explorer.
—Brad Shoup, Pitchfork, 24 Jan. 2026
Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
Cancer Pisces season always leads to an uptick in restlessness for you, because there’s so much happening in your ninth house of adventure.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
For example, what looks like physical hyperactivity in childhood may manifest as internal restlessness later in life.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
Paying close attention to how each pillow affected their sleep, and any improvements in neck pain, restlessness, and temperature regulation, to determine which pillows made the grade as the most luxurious options out there, both in sleep feel and in material makeup.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026
Tidy a corner to open space and light — even small shifts can lift your adventurous mood and settle your buzzing restlessness.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
Some signs of withdrawal from kratom might include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle/joint aches, restlessness, runny nose, excessive yawning, and hot or cold flashes.
—Gary Kirkilas Ii, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
The exercise of power, not surprisingly, contributed to the restlessness of a busy mind that waged battles against a committed opposition.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Even in his stillest moments, Reilly hums with the restlessness of a jazz explorer.
—Brad Shoup, Pitchfork, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restlessness
Noun
-
The album reflects all the turmoil and subsequent tranquility that Blake found within the music.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
At that time, Iran was in turmoil several weeks after the death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been detained for allegedly violating a strict Islamic dress code.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His father bought him the plane ticket after Jeffrey found himself in a bit of a boredom rut with friends and getting into the wrong kind of trouble.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Only Clark’s passivity seems more out of the boredom of having peaked at local-news celebrity status than anything else.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Back then, neither of us could have foreseen the pandemic, Georgia’s growing political unrest, a war in neighboring Ukraine, or the collapse of several multi-brand retailers, which altogether has slowed down progress for Situationist and Georgian fashion more broadly.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Cruise lines may adjust itineraries due to security concerns, such as military action or civil unrest, along with other reasons like severe weather.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Newly out of school, Stanton was at first less interested in Smith’s ideas than she was attracted to the excitement and glamour of his circle.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Following the main festival, an exclusive after-party at Stadium Club keeps the excitement flowing as guests get to know their city’s newest craft spirit.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restlessness. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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