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

Other Word Forms

• restlessness noun
• restlessly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of restless¹

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

Example Sentences

My phone is rarely out of reach, and when it is, I grow antsy and restless.

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But Dillane conveys a restless anxiety underneath these scenes, an awareness of the tenuous nature of his support system.

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The economy is faltering, and many Hungarians seem restless for change.

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The author, producer and showrunner knows fans are restless about how her hit Prime Video series might end, but she says she “loves surprising people.”

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“I feel strongly about wanting the audience to have the experience of not knowing what’s going to happen next … even though I know that others are probably restless to see how it all ends.”

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Related Words

• agitated 
• anxious 
• disturbed 
• edgy 
• fidgety 
• itchy 
• nervous 
• restive 
• sleepless 
• troubled www.thesaurus.com
• uneasy 
• unruly 
• unsettled