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

That same day, the moon will reach its first quarter phase in Sagittarius, bringing an air of restlessness and expansion, encouraging us to stop overthinking and finally take a leap of faith. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

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

Leaving out the outrageous persona, the eye-grabbing iconography, and the sizzling live shows, his musical restlessness and playfulness generated albums that were and are appointment listening. — Michaelangelo Matos, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026

He’s never settled into a particular genre and, perhaps due to that wide-ranging restlessness, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be awarding him an honorary Oscar in November. — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Tisch went to law school, eventually landing (with some restlessness) in real estate finance at Vornado Realty Trust and then at information services company KGB. — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

For movement issues, a mattress with better motion isolation can make a partner’s restlessness far less noticeable. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

Symptoms Symptoms can include sleeplessness, extreme worry about the baby or childbirth, restlessness and a racing heartbeat. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Shares in Lionsgate extended their losses Wednesday after an activist investor expressed restlessness with the company’s stance on AI. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026