RESTLESS

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does restless mean? 

• RESTLESS (adjective)
  The adjective RESTLESS has 3 senses:

1. worried and uneasy

2. ceaselessly in motion

3. lacking or not affording physical or mental rest

  Familiarity information: RESTLESS used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RESTLESS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Worried and uneasy

Synonyms:

restless; ungratified; unsatisfied

Similar:

discontent; discontented (showing or experiencing dissatisfaction or restless longing)

Derivation:

restlessness (inability to rest or relax or be still)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Ceaselessly in motion

Context example:

the restless wind

Similar:

moving (in motion)

Derivation:

restlessness (the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Lacking or not affording physical or mental rest

Synonyms:

restless; uneasy

Context example:

she fell into an uneasy sleep

Antonym:

restful (affording physical or mental rest)

Derivation:

restlessness (inability to rest or relax or be still)

 Context examples 

“Halloa! What’s that? One of them seems restless enough.”

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

If a moment's silence broke the conversation, he would turn restless, touch me, then say, "Jane."

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The thread of the argument had been rudely broken, and the audience was restless and expectant.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He tried to read a chapter in Fiske, but his brain was restless and he closed the book.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Those participants who had lower “sleep efficiency” showed an increase in blood pressure during that restless night.

(Deep Sleep May Play Role in Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

She had been restless all the morning, so that we were at first glad to know that she was sleeping.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

I feel restless and anxious to be seeing, doing, and learning more than I am.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

And always he returned, restless and uncomfortable, to whimper softly and wistfully at Kiche's side and to lick her face with eager, questioning tongue.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

The more restless he got, the worse she got; and I must say, for myself, that I had a very difficult time of it indeed between the two.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

A person with anxiety may sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heart beat.

(Anxiety, NCI Dictionary)