restless

adjective

rest·​less ˈrest-ləs How to pronounce restless (audio)
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
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
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.
As much as Louie’s secrets — some revealed by Dylan out of spite and others by his own restless tongue — might paint him as a predator, the would-be victim of his questionable actions might be more of a willing accomplice with their own troubling past and self-serving motivations. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025 In the field, Moises is restless and relentless, working from early morning till late at night with a professional’s calm. Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2024 The war was still more than three months from its conclusion, however, and Sherman was restless. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Dec. 2024 Bringing García back makes sense for the Blue Jays, who need to rebuild a depleted bullpen, but his addition doesn’t move the needle for a restless fan base. Kaitlyn McGrath, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for restless 

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of restless was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near restless

Cite this Entry

“Restless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restless. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

restless

adjective
rest·​less ˈrest-ləs How to pronounce restless (audio)
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 How to pronounce restless (audio)
1
: deprived of rest or sleep
the patient was restless from pain
2
: providing no rest
a restless night

More from Merriam-Webster on restless

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