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tossing and turning

ADJECTIVE
restless
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 transient turbulent unpeaceful unquiet unrestful unstable unsteady wandering worried
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm collected composed content cool easygoing laid-back peaceful quiet relaxed settled unworried
ADJECTIVE
sleepless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fidgety
WEAK
active alert antsy anxious bustling edgy fidgeting jumpy nervous on edge strung-out troubled unsettled wakeful wide-awake wired worried
ADJECTIVE
unquiet
Synonyms
WEAK
active agitated antsy anxious bundle of nerves bustling changeable disturbed edgy fidgeting fidgety fitful footloose fretful hurried ill at ease inconstant intermittent irresolute itchy jumpy nervous nomadic on edge perturbed restive roving sleepless spasmodic strung-out transient troubled turbulent uneasy unpeaceful unrestful unruly unsettled unstable unsteady wandering worried

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.

He said sometimes in the middle of the night when he’s tossing and turning, he imagines traveling street by street, just thinking about everyone on his mail route.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

If you find yourself tossing and turning at night and not being able to fall asleep, don't worry.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

Most people have experienced a night or two of sleeplessness, tossing and turning while being unable to fall asleep or stay asleep.

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2024

Whereas if I'm tossing and turning, it can be for hours.

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2024

He lay tossing and turning and listening fearfully to the stealthy night-noises: wind in chinks of rock, water dripping, a crack, the sudden rattling fall of a loosened stone.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien