Restless

//ˈɹɛstlɪs// adj

adj ·Common ·High school level

Definitions

Adjective

1
Not allowing or affording rest.
"The night before his wedding was a restless one."
2
Without rest; unable to be still or quiet; uneasy; continually moving.
"He was a restless child."
3
Not satisfied to be at rest or in peace; averse to repose; eager for change; discontented.
"A restless ambition."
4
Deprived of rest or sleep.
"They remained restless, sitting by the window the entire night."

Adjective

1
worried and uneasy wordnet
2
ceaselessly in motion wordnet
3
lacking or not affording physical or mental rest wordnet
4
nervous and unable to relax wordnet

Synonyms

antsy ungratified adrift adventurous afloat agitated

Antonyms

imperturbable restful

Example

"In the greatest of all works of art everything had been realized, I could give nothing, and my restless mind tired of passive contemplation."

Etymology

From Middle English restles, restelees, from Old English ræstlēas, equivalent to rest + -less.

Related phrases

restless cavy restless flycatcher restless genital syndrome restless leg syndrome restless legs restless legs syndrome the natives are getting restless the natives are restless

More for "restless"

Synonyms Sentences Pronunciation Translate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonyms See usage examples Check pronunciation Browse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.