RESTLESSNESS Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

restlessness

noun

Definition of restlessness

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 restlessness With both of these planets transiting Air signs, there is a cerebral side to this alignment, presenting the opportunity to channel feelings of restlessness into something resourceful. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026 Other common sleep issues that don’t affect the airways include movement disorders that cause nighttime restlessness or narcolepsy, a neurological disorder that affects the body’s sleep-wake cycles and causes excessive sleepiness. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Luengo became part of that process, helping to build a character who exists caught between her restlessness and her responsibility. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026 For barking or mild restlessness, though, a robot that recognizes what your dog is doing and responds at the right time could be a useful extra set of eyes at home. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026 For some people, consuming too much caffeine can cause symptoms such as nervousness, restlessness, headaches, and difficulty sleeping. — Merve Ceylan, HEALTH, 9 Sep. 2026 Anwar Hussein There was a restlessness to Diana’s movements in those summer months. — Allie Merriam, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026 Leaving out the outrageous persona, the eye-grabbing iconography, and the sizzling live shows, his musical restlessness and playfulness generated albums that were and are appointment listening. — Michaelangelo Matos, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026 Tisch went to law school, eventually landing (with some restlessness) in real estate finance at Vornado Realty Trust and then at information services company KGB. — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for restlessness

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

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

But now, as excitement swirls over social media giant Meta Platforms' AI agent, traders are pouring into Snap call options on Monday, propelling trading volume to more than four times the month-long average, Cboe LiveVol data show.

— Oliver Renick, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
Impact flashes have been seen before, but these ones on the dark side of the Moon could have been the faintest observed with the human eye, and everyone’s excitement is palpable in the clip.

— Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of excitement

Browse Nearby Words

restless

restlessness

restoral

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of restlessness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes