Restiveness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈre-stiv/ res·tive

Meaning & Definition of Restiveness

Restiveness (adjective)

  1. stubbornly resisting control, balky
  2. marked by impatience or uneasiness, fidgety

Restiveness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a disturbed or uneasy state

    "the nighttime tornado warnings were the likely source of the restiveness that could be felt all over town"

    similar: disquiet, ferment, fermentation, restlessness, Sturm und Drang, turmoil, uneasiness, unquietness, unrest
    related: fidgets, commotion, confusion, excitement, hubbub, moil, stir, storm, trouble, tumult, tumultuousness, turbulence, upheaval, uproar, unsettlement, disruption, perturbation, agitation, anxiety, disquietude, inquietude, queasiness, tension, unease, anarchy, chaos, disorder, welter
    opposite: calm, ease, peace, peacefulness, quiet, tranquility
    near: order, orderliness

  2. a state of nervousness marked by sudden jerky movements

    "I sensed that his restiveness at breakfast probably had something to do with the big presentation he would be making at the sales conference"

    similar: edginess, fidgetiness, fidgets, flightiness, jitteriness, jumpiness, skittishness
    related: agita, agitation, anxiety, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, disquiet, feverishness, franticness, freneticism, hand-wringing, perturbation, restlessness, trepidation, unease, uneasiness, upset, worry, nerves, tenseness, tension, butterflies, dither, heebie-jeebies, jimjams, jitters, shakes, shivers, willies
    near: confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence, sureness, control, self-control, aplomb, calm, calmness, collectedness, composure, coolness, ease, easiness, equanimity, equilibrium, imperturbability, poise, repose, self-possession, tranquility, tranquilness

Related Entry: Restive (adjective)

Restive is a different word from Restiveness. The synonyms below are for restive, not for restiveness.

  1. given to resisting authority or another's control

    "the restive horse threw its head and refused to move when the rider urged it forward"

    similar: balky, contrary, contumacious, defiant, disobedient, froward, incompliant, insubordinate, intractable, obstreperous, rebel, rebellious, recalcitrant, recusant, refractory, ungovernable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful
    related: noncooperative, uncooperative, insurgent, mutinous, adamant, adamantine, dogged, hardheaded, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inflexible, mulish, negativistic, obdurate, obstinate, opinionated, peevish, pertinacious, pigheaded, rigid, self-willed, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, fractious, uncontrollable, unmanageable, wild, perverse, resistant, wrongheaded, bad, disorderly, errant, misbehaving, mischievous, monkeying, monkeyish, naughty, undisciplined, dissident, nonconformist, discourteous, disrespectful, ill-bred, ill-mannered, ill-natured, impertinent, impolite, impudent, inconsiderate, insolent, ornery, rude, uncivil, uncouth, ungracious, unmannerly
    opposite: amenable, biddable, compliant, conformable, docile, obedient, ruly, submissive, tractable
    near: acquiescent, agreeable, amiable, cooperative, deferential, obliging, yielding, behaved, disciplined, well-bred, courteous, polite, respectful, kowtowing, obsequious, servile, slavish, subservient, decorous, mannerly, orderly, proper, controllable, governable, manageable, trainable

  2. lacking or denying rest

    "spent a restive night worrying about the next day's exam"

    similar: restless, uneasy, unquiet, unrestful
    related: agitated, distressed, disturbed, perturbed, troubled, unsettled, aflutter, anxious, dithery, edgy, fidgety, het up, hung up, jittery, jumpy, nervous, nervy, tense, upset, uptight, worried
    opposite: restful
    near: calm, easy, peaceful, quiet, relaxing, tranquil

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Restiveness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Restiveness:

disquiet, ferment, fermentation, restlessness, Sturm und Drang, turmoil, uneasiness, unquietness, unrest, edginess, fidgetiness, fidgets, flightiness, jitteriness, jumpiness, skittishness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Restiveness

Words with the opposite meaning of Restiveness:

calm, ease, peace, peacefulness, quiet, tranquility

Related Words for Restiveness

commotion, confusion, excitement, hubbub, moil, stir, storm, trouble, tumult, tumultuousness, turbulence, upheaval, uproar, unsettlement, disruption, perturbation, agitation, anxiety, disquietude, inquietude, queasiness, tension, unease, anarchy, chaos, disorder, welter, agita, anxiousness, apprehension

Near Antonyms of Restiveness

order, orderliness, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence, sureness, control, self-control, aplomb, calmness, collectedness, composure, coolness, easiness, equanimity, equilibrium, imperturbability, poise, repose, self-possession, tranquilness

Word Forms of Restiveness

Derived words: restively (adverb), restiveness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Restiveness

Middle English restyf, from Anglo-French restif, from rester to stop, resist, remain

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Restiveness

What does "Restiveness" mean?

"Restiveness" means stubbornly resisting control, balky. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: stubbornly resisting control, balky. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Restiveness"?

Other words for "Restiveness" include disquiet, ferment, fermentation, restlessness, Sturm und Drang, turmoil, uneasiness and unquietness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Restiveness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Restiveness"?

There are 64 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Restiveness". Common alternatives include disquiet, ferment, fermentation, restlessness, Sturm und Drang, turmoil, uneasiness, unquietness, unrest and edginess.

What is the opposite of "Restiveness"?

Antonyms of "Restiveness" include calm, ease, peace, peacefulness, quiet and tranquility. Near antonyms include order, orderliness, confidence and self-assurance.

How do you use "Restiveness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Restiveness" in a sentence: "the nighttime tornado warnings were the likely source of the restiveness that could be felt all over town"; "I sensed that his restiveness at breakfast probably had something to do with the big presentation he would be making at the sales conference".

Is "Restiveness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Restiveness" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Restiveness"?

"Restiveness" is pronounced /ˈre-stiv/ and divided into syllables as res·tive.

What is the origin of the word "Restiveness"?

"Restiveness" comes from Middle English restyf, from Anglo-French restif, from rester to stop, resist, remain. First known use: 15th century.