1
: lacking or denying rest : uneasy
a restless night
2
: continuously moving : unquiet
the restless sea
3
: characterized by or manifesting unrest especially of mind
restless pacing
also
: changeful, discontented
restlessly
adverb
restlessness
noun
Examples of restless in a Sentence
restless children who can't sit still
The audience was becoming restless.
He started to feel restless and discontent in his job.
Recent Examples on the Web
There is a kind of sadness that comes from living in a restless state of FOMO — or fear of missing out, as the acronym goes.
—
Tomris Laffly, Variety, 25 May 2025
As congressional Democrats have struggled to combat Trump this year, attorneys general have represented a tangible — and effective — counter to the president for restless Democratic voters.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
But digging holes to begin first and third quarters is a restless formula, and the Knicks know it.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 May 2025
The fans grew restless and began to boo, and Jesse Winker gave the officiating crew a thumbs down from the dugout.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for restless
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Tomris Laffly, Variety, 25 May 2025
As congressional Democrats have struggled to combat Trump this year, attorneys general have represented a tangible — and effective — counter to the president for restless Democratic voters.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
But digging holes to begin first and third quarters is a restless formula, and the Knicks know it.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 May 2025
The fans grew restless and began to boo, and Jesse Winker gave the officiating crew a thumbs down from the dugout.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for restless
Cite this Entry
“Restless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restless. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
restless
adjective
rest·less
ˈrest-ləs 
1
: being without rest : giving no rest
a restless night
2
: always moving
the restless sea
3
: showing one to be uneasy
restless pacing back and forth
restlessly
adverb
restlessness
noun
Medical Definition
restless
adjective
rest·less
ˈrest-ləs
1
: deprived of rest or sleep
the patient was restless from pain
2
: providing no rest
a restless night
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