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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restless
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2025
Starr will get restless in a month and come running back.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025
After 13 seasons, ones that usually ended with 20-ish victories and a lot of second-round exits in the NCAA Tournament, the natives got restless.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
Lighting for Health Say goodbye to restless nights with Delos Living’s Circadian Mood Lighting, a technology designed to replicate the benefits of natural light.
—Lisa A. Beach, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restless
Adjective
Wall Street has started to get restless as the clock keeps ticking.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2025
Starr will get restless in a month and come running back.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025
After 13 seasons, ones that usually ended with 20-ish victories and a lot of second-round exits in the NCAA Tournament, the natives got restless.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2025
Lighting for Health Say goodbye to restless nights with Delos Living’s Circadian Mood Lighting, a technology designed to replicate the benefits of natural light.
—Lisa A. Beach, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restless
Adjective
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Consumer sentiment and expectations Americans are feeling uneasy about the economy, and that is showing up in the data.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Markets have been turbulent ever since as trade policy uncertainty leaves investors uneasy.—
Chris DiLella,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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How to know when your dog is agitated Identifying an anxious or aggressive dog can be tricky, as negative and positive emotional indicators can often be confused.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The Fed chief said Wednesday the central bank can be patient while assessing data on inflation and employment, which are its dual mandates, while anxious consumers and businesses eye potentially prolonged economic instability.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The number comes as Trump's varying tariffs plan has led to market turmoil and raised fears about an impending recession.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
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His answer, given the exceptional political and economic turmoil in Canada, was a bit surprising.—
Ian Austen,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Some people snack at night to cope with stress, boredom, or sadness.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
8 Apr. 2025
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Quotidian excursions to the post office or the bank can create valuable opportunities for boredom, too.—
The Learning Network,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Proposals for Combating Polarization and Extremism By Larry Diamond, Edward B. Foley, and Richard H. Pildes The Primary Solution: Rescuing Our Democracy From the Fringes By Nick Troiano Two new books explore the deeply troubled election system in the United States.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
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Meanwhile, some at City Hall have heard rumblings about major cuts to the planning department, which processes development applications and updates zoning plans, as well as the troubled Animal Services Department.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Ghosts that wink could be scary but the face Sal makes is disturbing in other ways.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2025
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In cases where advertising is inevitable, some prefer ads that appeal on a personal level over messaging that can be inappropriate or, even, disturbing and offensive.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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All but one of the 26 people massacred were Indian citizens, prompting a new wave of unrest in a region claimed by both Pakistan and India and that has been the epicenter of often violent territorial struggle between the two countries.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2025
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The president’s tariff policy is another issue, along with a general state of unrest in Washington and rising concern that pressure from a variety of fronts could push the U.S. into recession.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Moreover, inconsistent lighting temperatures can create unease, making customers feel unsettled without knowing quite why.—
Bryant Richardson,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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While some farmers feel unsettled, another said good business strategy and state funding could help make up the gaps.—
Nora O’Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restless. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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