RESTIVENESS Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

restiveness

noun

Definition of restiveness

as in turmoil

a disturbed or uneasy state the nighttime tornado warnings were the likely source of the restiveness that could be felt all over town

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unease

a state of nervousness marked by sudden jerky movements I sensed that his restiveness at breakfast probably had something to do with the big presentation he would be making at the sales conference

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of restiveness Even from the start, flickers of restiveness appear. — Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 20 May 2026 Now as then, insecurity at Nigerian schools in the north is occurring in the context of a broad rash of violence across the country, from farmer-herder conflicts in the east and central regions, armed banditry attacks in the northwest, and youth restiveness in the south. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for restiveness

Noun

In the ensuing political turmoil, health workers went on strike, vaccine orders were delayed and follow-up vaccinations that usually accompany routine programs were disrupted.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Nationwide protests over the high cost of living roiled France on Saturday, adding to turmoil over public spending and debt ahead of a critical vote in the National Assembly.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of turmoil

Noun

When the line between general unease with not knowing crosses into anxiety that interferes with daily life, people should seek professional help, said Dugas.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Beyond elevated yield levels, the widening spread between French and German benchmark sovereign bonds reflects growing investor unease over France's fiscal trajectory and debt servicing capacity.

— , CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of unease

Noun

The island, known for its luxury beach resorts, last experienced similar unrest in 1999, when the death of a popular musician in police custody sparked days of rioting.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Israel and Western countries then boycotted its government, fueling months of unrest and fighting that led to the Hamas takeover of Gaza the next year.

— Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of unrest

Noun

When the line between general unease with not knowing crosses into anxiety that interferes with daily life, people should seek professional help, said Dugas.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Given Abbey’s anxieties about spending money and fear of not having enough, Stacy plans to use very conservative assumptions for inflation, health costs and average returns when making her projections based on Abbey’s savings today.

— Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

Plush carpeting, touches of turquoise in a largely eggshell-forward palette, tasteful landscape paintings that border on abstract, and spacious private balconies make up the subtle suite design, allaying any worries of dowdy beach resort decor.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Those moves have helped the stock market climb a wall of worry in the intervening years, including in 2026.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

Their presence has fueled social tensions in Ceuta and become a political issue across Spain, where opposition parties hope to use migration concerns to unseat the progressive government in next month's elections.

— JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
Despite seeking international support and launching a new military offensive, Saudi Arabia faces a conflict with no clear endgame, as fragmented allies and unresolved regional tensions make a lasting solution hard to achieve.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of tension

Noun

If students have nerves about speaking on school grounds, those on the peripheries of campus don’t face the same dilemma.

— Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
The idea is to sound like an inferior buck in the brush, one that is roaming around a mature deer’s space and getting on his nerves.

— Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of nerves

Noun

Market jumpiness can serve as a good moment for those nearing the end of their career to make sure their nest egg is prepared for a downturn, Benz said.

— Annie Nova,Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Conference Board economist Dana Peterson noted these state indexes have a history of statistical jumpiness.

— Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025

Definition of jumpiness

Browse Nearby Words

restive

restiveness

restless

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“Restiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restiveness. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of restiveness

noun

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