1
: lacking or denying rest : uneasy
a restless night
2
: continuously moving : unquiet
the restless sea
3
: characterized by or manifesting unrest especially of mind
restless pacing
also
: changeful, discontented
was becoming restless and unhappy with his job
The audience was restless.
restlessly
adverb
restlessness
noun
Examples of restless in a Sentence
restless children who can't sit still
The audience was becoming restless.
He started to feel restless and discontent in his job.
Recent Examples on the Web
These cowboy songs were meant to soothe restless cattle during the night or break the monotony of isolation.
—
Ted Olson,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
Neither team has pressed forward with much conviction in the first 15 minutes, and after some back-and-forth passing on the back line of the Netherlands' defense, boos could be heard from restless spectators in Monterrey.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
Within a few restless months, the group of strangers have become a fragile family.
—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
But the Champions Gate should’ve been placed at an entrance to the actual ballpark and not to Gallagher Way, which is basically used as an area for fans to bring kids who are too restless to sit and watch an entire game.
—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for restless
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show current usage.
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Ted Olson,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
Neither team has pressed forward with much conviction in the first 15 minutes, and after some back-and-forth passing on the back line of the Netherlands' defense, boos could be heard from restless spectators in Monterrey.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
30 June 2026
Within a few restless months, the group of strangers have become a fragile family.
—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
But the Champions Gate should’ve been placed at an entrance to the actual ballpark and not to Gallagher Way, which is basically used as an area for fans to bring kids who are too restless to sit and watch an entire game.
—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for restless
Cite this Entry
“Restless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restless. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
restless
adjective
rest·less
ˈrest-ləs 
1
: being without rest : giving no rest
a restless night
2
: always moving
the restless sea
3
: showing one to be uneasy
restless pacing back and forth
restlessly
adverb
restlessness
noun
Medical Definition
restless
adjective
rest·less
ˈrest-ləs
1
: deprived of rest or sleep
the patient was restless from pain
2
: providing no rest
a restless night
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