restless

adjective

rest·​less ˈrest-ləs How to pronounce restless (audio)
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recalling Lyme disease and other issues In July of 2018, Mangione posted online about health issues, including having restless sleep. Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024 Related Video Jennie Reveals How Cold-Plunging Loosens Up Her Muscles and Opens Up Her Mind By 2020, Waight Keller had begun to grow restless at Givenchy. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024 Some of the former president's most ardent defenders have grown restless with the lack of Black appointees, as Trump selected several others who would be firsts in those positions. Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 3 Dec. 2024 More recently, as Silicon Valley’s doctrine of disruption has turned into society’s ultimate virtue, he has been presented as an instinctive innovator, too; a restless mind in constant pursuit of perfection. Rory Smith, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for restless 

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of restless was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near restless

Cite this Entry

“Restless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restless. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

restless

adjective
rest·​less ˈrest-ləs How to pronounce restless (audio)
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 How to pronounce restless (audio)
1
: deprived of rest or sleep
the patient was restless from pain
2
: providing no rest
a restless night

More from Merriam-Webster on restless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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