restless

[ rest-lis ]

adjective

1. characterized by or showing inability to remain at rest:

   a restless mood.

   Synonyms: fretful, agitated, restive

2. unquiet or uneasy, as a person, the mind, or the heart.

   Synonyms: fretful, agitated, restive

3. never at rest; perpetually agitated or in motion:

   the restless sea.

   Synonyms: fretful, agitated, restive

4. without rest; without restful sleep:

   a restless night.

5. unceasingly active; averse to quiet or inaction, as persons:

   a restless crowd.

restless

/ ˈrɛstlɪs /

adjective

1. unable to stay still or quiet
2. ceaselessly active or moving

   the restless wind

3. worried; anxious; uneasy
4. not restful; without repose

   a restless night

Derived Forms

• ˈrestlessness, noun
• ˈrestlessly, adverb

Other Words From

• rest·less·ly adverb
• rest·less·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of restless¹

First recorded before before 1000; Middle English restles, Old English restlēas; rest ¹, -less

Example Sentences

Young Russian conductor Timur Zangiev barreled through Prokoviev’s restless score with compulsive and relentlessness virtuosity.

From Los Angeles Times

That evening, the surveillance video showed, she was restless.

From Los Angeles Times

When asked about Barnica, he can’t get out many words; his leg is restless, his eyes fixed on the floor.

From Salon

America is restless, armed, divided and angry.

From Los Angeles Times

After completing his doctorate in religious studies in 2017 he was restless.

From BBC

Related Words

• agitated
• anxious
• disturbed
• edgy
• fidgety
• itchy
• nervous
• restive
• sleepless
• troubled
• uneasy
• unruly
• unsettled