restless

adjective

rest·​less ˈrest-ləs 

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

restlessly adverb

restlessness noun

Synonyms

• restive
• uneasy
• unquiet
• unrestful

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

The restless mass of the glacier, constantly on the move, regularly sent atomic blasts down the ridge. —Cassidy Randall, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025

Malnourished people are restless people, searching far and wide for a better life. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

By 16, restless and eager to leave, Hackman lied about his age and enlisted in the U.S. Marines. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025

This is a restless day for you, because everything is a bit of a loose cannon. —Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing restless

• restless legs syndrome

Kids 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