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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restless
Prolific and intellectually restless, Greenberg was in many ways the loquacious American version of the late Tom Stoppard, and in turn a significant influence on such Chicago writers as Tracy Letts.
—
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Both going and staying are restless states.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Better sleep improves mood, focus, recovery and overall health, making exercise a powerful solution for restless nights.
—Fred Sassani, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
Or perhaps your nights are restless because your legs simply won’t stay still.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restless
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Both going and staying are restless states.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Better sleep improves mood, focus, recovery and overall health, making exercise a powerful solution for restless nights.
—Fred Sassani, Austin American Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
Or perhaps your nights are restless because your legs simply won’t stay still.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restless
Adjective
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Stage’s version translates the already uneasy feelings of hearing acid house reduced to happy-go-lucky plastic into something out of an actual acid trip.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
7 Feb. 2026
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Bashar is on the left, his body slightly angled away, his face uneasy.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Fall-Off can sometimes feel simpatico and obvious, with mellifluously soulful tones that conjure an air of anxious nostalgia.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2026
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At the same time, consumers appeared less anxious about inflation.—
Benzinga,
Freep.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has launched an investigation into Concierge Apartments, a troubled Rocky Hill complex where 200 units were condemned Friday by town officials.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
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Nanjiani got serious about the importance of directors making movies in a troubled world before dropping one more zinger.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Keira, a junior, said current events have been disturbing.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
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Protesters gathered outside of an Inglewood daycare facility on Friday to express their outrage over a disturbing video that shows a teacher throwing her shoe at a 5-year-old student with autism in January.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Meanwhile, on the business side of the operation, the Valkyries are operating as if the season — set to open May 8 in Seattle — will proceed, even as rules and dates for an expansion draft, free agency and the college draft remain unsettled.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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By contrast, Hsu, director of consumer surveys at the University of Michigan, believes that the revival today is a negative reaction to the volatility of high prices and unsettled politics.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The hearing became tense as representatives pressed him on this point.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
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Hilton also criticized Bianco for kneeling with protesters during tense demonstrations in 2020 in the wake of George Floyd‘s murder.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Sarwar’s decision to call for Starmer to step down could embolden restive Labour lawmakers to do the same.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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These elevated plants can be styled year-round with restive ribbons, colorful stones, or subtle seasonal accents to match your porch vibe.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Kansas sophomore guard Jamari McDowell actually didn’t have time to get nervous — or overthink his role — after learning freshman sensation Darryn Peterson would miss Monday’s game against Arizona because of flu-like symptoms.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2026
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Investors would understandably be nervous when both the CFO and the general counsel depart, according to Shivaram Rajgopal, an accounting professor at Columbia Business School.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restless. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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