1
as in uneasy
lacking or denying rest
the worried mother spent a restless night, tossing and turning in bed for hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in anxious
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the figure skater was visibly restless as she waited for her scores to be posted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restless
The Princess Royal, 75, wasn't even bothered when Vegas's owner, Kate Wilson, apologetically pointed out that the restless pup had dug a few holes in the palace lawn.
—
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Light can cause restless sleep.
—Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 11 May 2026
But Tom Peter, the mastermind behind the Lismore, Australia five-piece, is restless enough to have churned out three full-length records in just over a year, generally adopting the stance that demos and final takes are one in the same.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026
The restless souls contained within all forms of life begin to awaken, bringing fiery hues back to the formerly dreary expanse of winter landscapes.
—Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for restless
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Light can cause restless sleep.
—Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 11 May 2026
But Tom Peter, the mastermind behind the Lismore, Australia five-piece, is restless enough to have churned out three full-length records in just over a year, generally adopting the stance that demos and final takes are one in the same.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026
The restless souls contained within all forms of life begin to awaken, bringing fiery hues back to the formerly dreary expanse of winter landscapes.
—Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for restless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restless
Adjective
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Nowhere is this truer than in Russia, a nation marked by a long history of political repression alongside extraordinary literary brilliance, a rare and uneasy combination.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Two women form an uneasy alliance to stop the killer — but their own motives end up playing a role in what happens next.—
Diya Chacko,
Oc Register,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
That’s a lot of anxious energy surrounding a screening of a 55-year-old film that hasn’t been hard to see — in one form or another — in recent times.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
Now, the Tiki Social at the Omni may be driving another escape, from our anxious times to the fantasy island life.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Rotterdam, Netherlands — The cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has docked at the Dutch port of Rotterdam for disinfection, wrapping up a troubled journey that put international health authorities on alert.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
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New owners run into the messy realities of unexpected occupants, legal complications and economic challenges that can keep the troubled parcels stuck in limbo and drag down surrounding neighborhoods.—
Graham Womack
May 18,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
There’s something disturbing about watching these already commonplace delusions about ChatGPT — Your particular version has a soul!—
Vulture,
Vulture,
17 May 2026
-
But as dubious therapies and unsettling postcolonial rituals blur the line between wellness and manipulation, Alexa begins uncovering the disturbing forces hidden beneath the retreat’s seductive façade.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
James Ward Thursday night’s California governor debate underscored just how unsettled — and contentious — the race has become, with candidates repeatedly clashing over crime, election integrity, reproductive rights, and the balance of power between state and local government.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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In this triumphant tour de force, Crain and a group of fertility patients reckon with the threats to their family future, unearthing hope from an unsettled legal landscape.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The debate comes after weeks of tense exchanges and shifting poll numbers.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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In the film, Keough plays Zalya, the pregnant sister of Keoghan’s troubled character, bringing a quiet emotional weight to a tense family story set around a struggling Circassian diner in New Jersey.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Conflict monitors, now watching with alarm as Islamist militants capture territory and stage attacks in Mali, urge the administration to pay closer attention to the restive Sahel region and other hot spots.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
14 May 2026
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The next national election does not have to be held until 2029, but a wipeout on Thursday could tip a restive Labour Party into revolt against its unpopular leader.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 May 2026
Adjective
-
There was laughter, nervous laughter, lots of nervous laughter, and also tears.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
19 May 2026
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Providing the voice of one of the many alien characters is Martin Scorsese, who has some amusing moments with his typically rapid-fire delivery as a nervous street food vendor whom Djarin pumps for information.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restless. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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