unrest

[uhn-rest]

noun

1. lack of rest; a restless, troubled, or uneasy state; disquiet.

   the unrest within himself.

2. disturbance or turmoil; agitation.

   political unrest.

   Synonyms: turbulence, discord, ferment

unrest

/ ʌnˈrɛst /

noun

1. a troubled or rebellious state of discontent

2. an uneasy or troubled state

Other Word Forms

• unresting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of unrest¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; un- ¹, rest ¹

Example Sentences

O'Neill calls for Celtic 'unification' - but is fan unrest affecting team?

Read more on BBC

Islamic State has targeted the camps and prisons with propaganda and messages to stir unrest—part of the reason the most dangerous prisoners held in Al Sina are kept under an information blackout.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The U.K. treasury chief, Rachel Reeves, is likely to deliver a well-balanced budget that restores investor confidence and avoids political unrest, the economists said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Volcanoes, though, can enter prolonged phases of unrest and unpredictability that can last many years.

Read more on BBC

But serving officers express their own frustrations: 44 officers were also killed during the unrest, yet the interim government has agreed "legal immunity" for protesters.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• anarchy 
• anxiety 
• confusion 
• controversy 
• crisis 
• discontent 
• discord 
• dissension 
• insurrection 
• protest 
• rebellion 
• strife 
• tension 
• trouble 
• tumult 
• turmoil 
• uproar