Synonyms of restlessness

restlessness

noun

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

• turmoil
• unrest
• excitement
• anxiety
• uneasiness
• tension
• confusion
• unease
• disquiet
• turbulence
• upheaval
• restiveness
• agitation
• fermentation
• ferment
• chaos
• trouble
• disruption
• commotion
• unquietness
• storm
• Sturm und Drang
• anarchy
• stir
• perturbation
• disquietude
• tumult
• unsettlement
• disorder
• hubbub
• tumultuousness
• fidgets
• uproar
• inquietude
• queasiness
• moil
• welter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ease
• peace
• tranquility
• calm
• quiet
• peacefulness
• order
• orderliness

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

• boredom
• ennui
• weariness
• tedium
• melancholy
• listlessness
• blahs
• lethargy
• doldrums
• dullness
• indifference
• lifelessness
• monotony
• languor
• joylessness
• lassitude
• torpidity
• cheerlessness
• languidness
• torpor
• apathy
• unconcern
• sameness
• dispiritedness
• monotonousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fascination
• absorption
• involvement
• excitement
• enchantment
• stimulation
• engagement
• immersion
• engrossment
• captivation
• bewitchment
• animation
• amusement
• beguilement
• relief
• entertainment
• invigoration
• enlivenment
• diversion

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of restlessness

Cheng told Hackensack Meridian Health that drinking caffeine during this window can temporarily raise cortisol even further, potentially contributing to feelings of anxiety or restlessness. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026

Pouring caffeine on top of that peak can push cortisol even higher, which Cheng said may contribute to anxiety and restlessness. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026

With both of these planets transiting Air signs, there is a cerebral side to this alignment, presenting the opportunity to channel feelings of restlessness into something resourceful. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

Other common sleep issues that don’t affect the airways include movement disorders that cause nighttime restlessness or narcolepsy, a neurological disorder that affects the body’s sleep-wake cycles and causes excessive sleepiness. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Luengo became part of that process, helping to build a character who exists caught between her restlessness and her responsibility. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

For barking or mild restlessness, though, a robot that recognizes what your dog is doing and responds at the right time could be a useful extra set of eyes at home. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

For some people, consuming too much caffeine can cause symptoms such as nervousness, restlessness, headaches, and difficulty sleeping. — Merve Ceylan, HEALTH, 9 Sep. 2026

Anwar Hussein There was a restlessness to Diana’s movements in those summer months. — Allie Merriam, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026