unrest

noun

un·​rest ˌən-ˈrest 

: a disturbed or uneasy state : turmoil

Synonyms

• disquiet
• ferment
• fermentation
• restiveness
• restlessness
• Sturm und Drang
• turmoil
• uneasiness
• unquietness

Examples of unrest in a Sentence

The country has experienced years of civil unrest.

unrest gripped the city as the people nervously awaited the expected bombardment

Recent Examples on the Web

The levels are based off several factors, including crime levels, threats of terrorism, civil unrest, health concerns and the possibility of a natural disaster, according to the State Department. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025

In addition to long-standing restrictions, the State Department issued a travel advisory in August warning citizens not to travel to Iran due to political unrest in the region. —Amin Khodadadi, NBC News, 16 Mar. 2025

President Donald Trump’s mercurial tariff policies threaten to roil the global economy, resulting in unrest in the stock market. —Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025

Dangers for American travelers include the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens and wrongful detentions. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unrest

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed

Kids Definition

unrest

noun

un·​rest ˌən-ˈrest 

ˈən-

: lack of rest : a disturbed or uneasy state : turmoil