1
as in uneasy
lacking or denying rest
the worried mother spent a restless night, tossing and turning in bed for hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in anxious
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the figure skater was visibly restless as she waited for her scores to be posted
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restless
The film follows Airi (Hoshi), a wandering medium who spends her life guiding restless spirits out of the world of the living.
—
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
The fate of a game and maybe a series was perched on the restless fingertips of Nikola Jokic, the most efficient maker of floaters in the basketball world.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
When levels drop, sleep becomes restless and easily disrupted.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
For anyone who has followed Sting’s career from the raw energy of The Police through decades of restless solo reinvention, his latest chapter might be the most personal yet.
—Ryan Brennan
april 14, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restless
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
The fate of a game and maybe a series was perched on the restless fingertips of Nikola Jokic, the most efficient maker of floaters in the basketball world.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
When levels drop, sleep becomes restless and easily disrupted.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
For anyone who has followed Sting’s career from the raw energy of The Police through decades of restless solo reinvention, his latest chapter might be the most personal yet.
—Ryan Brennan
april 14, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restless
Adjective
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Even after filling several roster holes in the NFL Draft, the Dolphins exited the weekend with a glaring need at safety and an uneasy situation on the edge, at wide receiver and at tight end.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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Forced into an uneasy alliance with a sharp-witted poacher living on the margins of society (Kellyman), the two women fight back, turning their powerlessness into strength through violence, wit, and defiance.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The play is about Sarah, an anxious young woman living a double life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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That’s the blunt reality facing Senate Majority Leader John Thune as Republicans grow increasingly anxious about the end-game for one of the most consequential — and politically combustible — confirmation fights in recent memory.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But, in the end, the artists – who’d been out there alone, navigating the same troubled waters – understood the potential.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
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Four people were wounded early Sunday in a shooting at a troubled Queens nightclub with a history of violence and murder.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Angels fans who had regained some faith in Yusei Kikuchi after last weekend’s encouraging start could only watch with frustration as all of that was wiped away in one disturbing inning.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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Most disturbing about the Game 3 blowout was not the who, but the how.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The weekend will be quiet and comfortable with near-normal temperatures, with conditions becoming unsettled again early next week.—
Joseph Dames,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
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In addition to unsettled funding mechanisms, the cultural understanding of 988 is still shifting.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Harbaugh seemed tense during his Friday press conference sitting next to GM Joe Schoen as the second round of the draft rolled on compared to a much more positive Thursday interview after the first round.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Bodycam audio shows tense standoff in moving SUV For two-and-a-half tense minutes, the officer remained an unwilling passenger in the fleeing suspect's SUV, repeatedly commanding him to stop the car.—
Brian Day,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Starmer will face restive lawmakers in Parliament on Monday to fight for his job after the explosive revelation that Mandelson was appointed ambassador to the United States despite failing security checks.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
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Remarks are addressed to a restive crowd.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the draft room, Bisciotti looked nervous as the pick approached, worried another team — or even his own GM — might snag Randall.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Some nervous Democrats and their allies worry that language could thwart installation of a Democratic majority in the next Congress.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restless. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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