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
This tender and slow hour isn’t for the restless, but a cathartic cry waits for those who make it to the end.
—
Christian Holub, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Add to that formula a volcanic voice and songs soaked in a restless spirit, and Dean has managed to set himself apart in a crowded country field.
—Nancy Kruh, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Hours in a cramped seat can make anyone restless — even flight attendants, who recommend traveling with a portable foot hammock.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2025
Skrillex is a master of misdirection whose trickster tendencies inform everything from his restless, global production purview to loopy release strategies.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restless
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Christian Holub, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Add to that formula a volcanic voice and songs soaked in a restless spirit, and Dean has managed to set himself apart in a crowded country field.
—Nancy Kruh, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Hours in a cramped seat can make anyone restless — even flight attendants, who recommend traveling with a portable foot hammock.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2025
Skrillex is a master of misdirection whose trickster tendencies inform everything from his restless, global production purview to loopy release strategies.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Apr. 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 23 Apr. 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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