restive

[ res-tiv ]

adjective

1. impatient of control, restraint, or delay, as persons; restless; uneasy.

   Synonyms: unquiet, nervous

   Antonyms: quiet, patient

2. refractory; stubborn.

   Synonyms: obstinate, disobedient, recalcitrant

   Antonyms: tractable, obedient

3. refusing to go forward; balky:

   a restive horse.

restive

/ ˈrɛstɪv /

adjective

1. restless, nervous, or uneasy
2. impatient of control or authority

Derived Forms

• ˈrestiveness, noun
• ˈrestively, adverb

Other Words From

• restive·ly adverb
• restive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of restive¹

1375–1425; rest ² + -ive; replacing late Middle English restif stationary, balking < Old French: inert

Word History and Origins

Origin of restive¹

C16: from Old French restif balky, from rester to remain

Example Sentences

The Harris campaign itself believes she lost to Trump because she was facing a restive public angry over the economic and social turbulence in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.

From BBC

Cho, who describes himself as a liberation leader, is one of the most prominent separatist leaders shaping the conflict in Cameroon’s restive Anglophone regions.

From BBC

The settlement is located in a restive and remote area in the interior of the poor, rural nation off the northern coast of Australia, making search and rescue efforts complicated and hazardous.

From Seattle Times

The club has spent much of this season engaged in a bout of restive soul-searching.

From New York Times

Facing deep economic troubles and a restive population, the government seems to have adopted a two-track policy, analysts say, declaring victory over Israel and cracking down at home.

From New York Times

Related Words

• agitated
• fractious
• jittery
• recalcitrant
• restless
• tense
• uneasy
• unruly