restlessness

[ rest-lis-nis ]

/ ˈrɛst lɪs nɪs /

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See synonyms for restlessness on Thesaurus.com

noun

the inability to remain still or at rest, or a mood characterized by this:To overcome younger students’ restlessness and anxiety, one expert suggests class routines, role play activities, and other calming exercises.

the fact of being unable to sleep or find a comfortable position in which to sleep:I haven't been sleeping so well lately—a mix of restlessness and staying up too late watching movies.

discontent or dissatisfaction that drives one to keep looking for solutions, alternatives, or new things:We are incomplete beings yearning to be made whole, dogged by a sense of unease and restlessness.

perpetual movement:Growing up on the coast of Sydney as he did, his music is influenced by the restlessness of the ocean.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of restlessness

restless + -ness

Words nearby restlessness

restitute, restitution, restive, restless, restless cavy, restlessness, rest mass, resto, restock, Reston, rest on one's laurels

How to use restlessness in a sentence

You’ll then get a full chart showing what times you were in which stages of sleep, helping you spot particular spells of restlessness.
All the ways to use a Fitbit for sleep tracking|David Nield|September 23, 2021|Popular-Science
He also had a reformist streak, reflecting a deep-seated restlessness and dissatisfaction with the status quo that was manifest through the rest of his life.
Donald H. Rumsfeld, influential but controversial Bush defense secretary, dies at 88|Bradley Graham|June 30, 2021|Washington Post
She said she’d noticed that as her brother’s memory loss progressed, he became more restless and could spend hours doing the same tasks repeatedly, often old habits, such as folding towels or arranging bird feeders on the porch.
Why this Virginia man spent days making an Alzheimer’s ‘busy box’ for a stranger|Cathy Free|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
A restless Virginia resident finds sights that evoke the West within driving distance
In Delaware, a new Instagram-friendly driving trail spotlights local artists and sites|Andrea Sachs|November 6, 2020|Washington Post

If that stress response becomes endless, the bodily effects can wage a mental toll through anxiety, irritability, depression, restlessness or lack of focus.
What mental health professionals have learned six months into pandemic care|Marion Renault|October 8, 2020|Popular-Science
In addition to headaches and restlessness, she had lost her appetite and a lot of weight.
Meet the Julia Child of Weed|Justin Jones|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The same inertia and restlessness is setting in behind the scenes as well.
Will Gardner Had to Die So That ‘The Good Wife’ Could Thrive|Jason Lynch|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Anxiety, restlessness, chills, sweating, blurred vision, and dehydration can occur with the use of MDMA.
Why Molly Is Especially Deadly at Summer Music Festivals|Abby Haglage|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the prevailing emotion that day, even among us awardees, was a bemused sense of boredom, restlessness and insatiability.
The Medal of Honor Disgrace|Brian Van Reet|March 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In that respect, Monk, like Miles, made a virtue out of restlessness.
Classic Miles Davis Recordings Reveal New Beauty in Their Classic Mono Format|Malcolm Jones|December 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The same fierce restlessness which took possession of him at San Pasquale again showed itself in his every act.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
But a horrible thing that had happened to him, had awakened in him a lonely nightmare of restlessness.
The Man from Time|Frank Belknap Long
This reasoning seemed to calm him; but the restlessness of doubt soon returned, pricking like thorns.
Urania|Camille Flammarion
At times there is a development of tuberculosis that proves fatal, because of the restlessness of the individual.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley
Any lurking danger of too great speculative restlessness disappeared.
The Daughters of Danaus|Mona Caird

restlessness

Origin of restlessness

Words nearby restlessness

Words related to restlessness

How to use restlessness in a sentence