1
as in turmoil
a disturbed or uneasy state
the restlessness of the crowd was apparent as it waited to learn whether the football player was seriously injured
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boredom
the state of being bored
she began to pick at the grass near her hammock out of sheer restlessness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of restlessness
Kratom can lead to addiction, and some signs of withdrawal could include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle/joint aches, restlessness, runny nose, excessive yawning, and hot or cold flashes.
—
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Keeping a person engaged and maintaining consistent routines can also reduce restlessness.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Turn Chores Into Movement Challenges When kids have been sitting too long and the restlessness starts to build, channeling that energy into physical activity can reset the clock on cooperative behavior.
—Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2026
The fact that 41% may leave HR could stem from exhaustion rather than just restlessness.
—Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
Cancer Pisces season always leads to an uptick in restlessness for you, because there’s so much happening in your ninth house of adventure.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
For example, what looks like physical hyperactivity in childhood may manifest as internal restlessness later in life.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
Paying close attention to how each pillow affected their sleep, and any improvements in neck pain, restlessness, and temperature regulation, to determine which pillows made the grade as the most luxurious options out there, both in sleep feel and in material makeup.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026
Tidy a corner to open space and light — even small shifts can lift your adventurous mood and settle your buzzing restlessness.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Keeping a person engaged and maintaining consistent routines can also reduce restlessness.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Turn Chores Into Movement Challenges When kids have been sitting too long and the restlessness starts to build, channeling that energy into physical activity can reset the clock on cooperative behavior.
—Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2026
The fact that 41% may leave HR could stem from exhaustion rather than just restlessness.
—Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
Cancer Pisces season always leads to an uptick in restlessness for you, because there’s so much happening in your ninth house of adventure.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
For example, what looks like physical hyperactivity in childhood may manifest as internal restlessness later in life.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
Paying close attention to how each pillow affected their sleep, and any improvements in neck pain, restlessness, and temperature regulation, to determine which pillows made the grade as the most luxurious options out there, both in sleep feel and in material makeup.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 19 Feb. 2026
Tidy a corner to open space and light — even small shifts can lift your adventurous mood and settle your buzzing restlessness.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restlessness
Noun
-
Those crises required two large IMF deals supported by tens of billions of dollars in Gulf aid and investments, reflecting a long-standing view among Gulf capitals that stability in the most populous Arab country is key to preventing wider turmoil.—
Alaa Shahine Salha,
semafor.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Kara Ng, senior economist at Zillow Home Loans, said the mortgage-rate shock, fueled by bond market turmoil linked to the war in Iran, could stall the spring housing market if the conflict drags on.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The design was inspired by the hair-tearing boredom of COVID lockdown-era remote work, a time in which Knafs founder Ben Petersen maintained sanity during Zoom calls by fidgeting around with pocket knives and doodling pictures.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Throughout all of human history, boredom was just part of life.—
Arthur C. Brooks
March 22,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When a white suburban jury acquitted the LAPD officers who beat Black motorist Rodney King, protesters spilled into the Slot and set the nearby landmark palm trees on fire — a precursor for the unrest to come.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
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So when, in December 2025, thousands of ICE agents descended upon the Twin Cities, initiating two months of unrest and violence, restaurants were not at the forefront of the headlines, but acutely absorbing its impact.—
David Farley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Managing Owner Jorge Mas expressed excitement for the team's future, even as construction continues on the final touches, from the building itself down to the seat numbers.—
Samantha Rivera,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Pregnancy is a time of excitement and anticipation, and mothers-to-be are often brimming with questions, many of them, unfortunately, based on myth and superstition.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restlessness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restlessness. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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