Definitions

restless

[rest-lis] / ˈrɛst lɪs /

ADJECTIVE

not content; moving about

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

WEAK

active antsy bundle of nerves bustling changeable fidgeting fitful footloose fretful hurried ill at ease inconstant intermittent irresolute jumpy nomadic on edge perturbed roving spasmodic strung-out tossing and turning transient turbulent unpeaceful unquiet unrestful unstable unsteady wandering worried

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm collected composed content cool easygoing laid-back peaceful quiet relaxed settled unworried

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The findings point to a more restless view of evolution.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

Its economy has collapsed, and the nation is restless.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

He also once asked a mother to move midway through a New World Symphony Orchestra concert in Florida, fearing the effect her restless child might have on the Adagio movement.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

A subdued economy leads to a subdued, restless, perhaps cantankerous electorate.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

From his corner, when he was no longer capable of any other movement, his eyes constantly followed us, seeming never to tire in their restless wandering.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya

Vocabulary lists containing restless

"The Civil Rights Movement"

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Vocabulary from "Community is the 'killer app' missing from virtual reality" by Dmitri Williams

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Don't Panic! Synonyms for "Stress"

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