as in turmoil
a disturbed or uneasy state
unrest gripped the city as the people nervously awaited the expected bombardment his stomach unrest was just a sign of stage fright
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unrest
Precious metals are widely viewed as a hedge against geopolitical unrest because the millennia-old stores of value are perceived as investments that could outlive calamity.
—
Max Zahn, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026
In recent weeks, in response to the most significant domestic unrest in its 46-year history, the Iranian regime imposed a comprehensive internet shutdown.
—Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Minneapolis has quickly become the center of massive political unrest after Renee Macklin Good was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer more than two weeks ago.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
However, most of the president's talking points were his current hot-button issues, like the economy, his plans to take over Greenland and the ongoing unrest in Minneapolis.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unrest
Max Zahn, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026
In recent weeks, in response to the most significant domestic unrest in its 46-year history, the Iranian regime imposed a comprehensive internet shutdown.
—Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Minneapolis has quickly become the center of massive political unrest after Renee Macklin Good was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer more than two weeks ago.
—Elena Moore, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
However, most of the president's talking points were his current hot-button issues, like the economy, his plans to take over Greenland and the ongoing unrest in Minneapolis.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unrest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unrest
turmoil
Noun
-
The head of artistic programming at the Kennedy Center abruptly stepped away from his post less than two weeks after he was named to the job in the latest sign of turmoil at the iconic performing arts venue.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Sports technology transactions thrived in 2025, despite the advent of tariffs, a government shutdown and geopolitical turmoil.—
Luisa Beltran,
Sportico.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unrest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unrest. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
