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

As alcohol metabolizes, typically over four to five hours, your brain experiences a rebound effect, leading to fragmented, restless sleep in the latter half of the night. —Dr. Samanta Dall’agnese, CNBC, 13 May 2025

My protagonist drinks to dull the sharp edges of motherhood, to quiet the restless ache of unmet expectations, and to grasp at the fleeting illusion of control in a life that often feels anything but. —Jessica Guerrieri, People.com, 9 May 2025

The Pope had revealed himself once more, as a restless democrat at heart. —Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2025

And as the fourth quarter ticked on, a restless, rattling Motor City crowd — the same one that booed and cursed Jalen Brunson with every touch — suddenly found itself on edge, waiting, begging, for a response. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 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