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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of restlessness
The restlessness didn’t arrive as a thunderclap.
—
Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Undoubtedly that restlessness helped fuel his work over the decades.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 25 May 2026
People use them to unwind before bed, calm restlessness or improve sleep quality, though the strength of scientific evidence varies and results differ from person to person.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
The restlessness reflects the owners’ ambition to win.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Iron deficiency can affect both physical and mental health, with symptoms like fatigue, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and restlessness.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 12 May 2026
These moments of sudden restlessness come for all of us sooner or later.
—Big Think, 6 May 2026
Hours after the terrifying rampage, a similar fatal incident took place at Koodalminikyam Temple in Irinjalakuda when an elephant that had shown signs of restlessness during a ritual procession the night before broke out of its enclosure and attacked its handlers, per News Karnataka.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
My daughter’s restlessness in a new place the night before was taking its toll.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Undoubtedly that restlessness helped fuel his work over the decades.
—Tom Tapp, Deadline, 25 May 2026
People use them to unwind before bed, calm restlessness or improve sleep quality, though the strength of scientific evidence varies and results differ from person to person.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
The restlessness reflects the owners’ ambition to win.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Iron deficiency can affect both physical and mental health, with symptoms like fatigue, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and restlessness.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 12 May 2026
These moments of sudden restlessness come for all of us sooner or later.
—Big Think, 6 May 2026
Hours after the terrifying rampage, a similar fatal incident took place at Koodalminikyam Temple in Irinjalakuda when an elephant that had shown signs of restlessness during a ritual procession the night before broke out of its enclosure and attacked its handlers, per News Karnataka.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
My daughter’s restlessness in a new place the night before was taking its toll.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restlessness
Noun
-
Throw in Mateta’s desire to leave for Milan, a move which collapsed in the last few days of the winter window, and a sense of turmoil was prevalent.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Instead, the judge found that the state essentially fictionalized a story of chaos and turmoil in the workplace as a result of the post.—
Scott Maxwell,
Sun Sentinel,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
That experience confirmed Lean’s boredom with studio shoots and his hunger to work outside in inspiring locations.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2026
-
Find out how to beat boredom and bitterness while holding onto your job, with tips on how to build your next chapter, from career coach Cynthia Young.—
Courtney Connley-Hampton,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Madonna has made music through various calamities that at the time felt world-ending — wars, political unrest, financial collapse — so the terrors of 2026 don’t seem to faze her.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
But its popularity didn’t spread beyond the northern Spanish city until the domestic unrest that had blighted the Basque region dissipated in the 2010s.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Two, people might pretend to be different characters or scenarios, which can add excitement.—
Noelle Harff,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
In March 2020, the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic brought the excitement to a grinding halt.—
Emily Holshouser
May 28,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restlessness. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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