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.

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

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

"Imagine, without sleep, my child was restless all night," Quinones said.

From Barron's • Mar. 22, 2026

It hires restless aviators and eccentric daredevils to transport crazy stuff that no one else will.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Elsewhere, you can watch the overly cute Christian homily “Forevergreen,” from Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears, about a nurturing tree, a restless bear and the dangerous allure of potato chips.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Back at the beach, the sea lions were honking and restless, and Fred’s friends were zipping over the rocks, even the oldest scuttling like hatchlings.

From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr

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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