restive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "restive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being restless or unable to remain still, often due to impatience or dissatisfaction. Example: "The audience grew restive as they waited for the speaker to arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He described harsh government controls in restive Xinjiang and Tibet as "ridiculous national policy", and also attacked a now-disgraced security tsar for abuse of power, before his downfall.

The Guardian

The NDP gains have drawn the federal party tied with the Conservatives and the Liberal party in voter approval ratings as the long campaign begins, thus improving the odds that the increasingly restive majority of Canadians who oppose the Harper government will once again divide their votes and usher him to victory.

The Guardian

Activists stole or set fire to dozens of ballot boxes in the restive states of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas early on Sunday, but the vote was otherwise largely peaceful, officials said.

The Guardian

Although the government has an overall majority of 12 seats in the Commons, Cameron is massively outnumbered in the House of Lords, and his whips will have to be alert to any signs of rebellions by backbench MPs, possibly made restive by the prime minister's promotion of an insufficiently ambitious EU renegotiation agenda.

The Guardian

He was detained by US forces in Falluja, west of Baghdad, in February 2004, months after he had helped found a militant group, Jeish Ahl al-Sunnah al-Jamaah, which had taken root in the restive Sunni communities around his home city.

The Guardian

Bahrain, which regularly accuses Tehran of seeking to subvert its own restive Shia population, has been cool as well.

The Guardian

Staff are restive, with some still angry over how the recent departures of hosts Joy Reid and Ronan Farrow were handled, and are wondering how long the channel president, Griffin, can hold his spot.

The Guardian

He voted for a controversial radical, Oleh Lyashko, the only candidate who went to the restive regions in the east, where he took part in operations against separatists.

The Guardian

Millions of citizens in the restive east, however, did not vote at all, either because of separatist sympathies, feelings of intimidation by pro-Russian militias or simply a lack of polling stations.

The Guardian

Protesters burned ballot boxes in several restive states of southern Mexico on Sunday, in an attempt to disrupt elections seen as a litmus test for President Enrique Peña Nieto's government.

The Guardian

The first is whether Mr Tsipras would be able to sell it to his increasingly restive backbenchers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a population or group as "restive", provide context about the source of their unease or resistance. This adds depth and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "restive" solely to describe physical restlessness. The term often implies a deeper sense of dissatisfaction or resistance to authority or circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "restive" primarily functions to describe a noun, typically a group or population, that is in a state of unease, impatience, or resistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. Many examples from Ludwig show "restive" modifying words like "regions", "population", and "states".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "restive" is commonly used to describe a state of unease, impatience, or resistance, primarily in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is a neutral term used to convey tension and potential instability, often implying a group's dissatisfaction with existing circumstances. While "restless" is a close synonym, "restive" carries a stronger connotation of resistance. When using this term, be sure to provide context about the source of the subject's unease to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uneasy

Implies a general feeling of discomfort or anxiety, lacking the specific sense of resistance found in "restive".

restless

Focuses on the inability to stay still or quiet, often due to boredom or anxiety; less about active resistance than "restive".

impatient

Highlights a lack of tolerance for delays or obstacles, similar to the feeling of being "restive" under constraints.

unruly

Emphasizes a lack of control and discipline, akin to resisting authority, but more focused on outward behavior than internal feeling of "restive".

rebellious

Suggests active opposition to authority or control, sharing the resistance aspect of "restive" but more overt.

fidgety

Describes physical restlessness and small movements, often from nervousness or boredom; lacks the political or social connotations of "restive".

anxious

Focuses on worry and nervousness; while a "restive" person may be anxious, the core meaning is different.

on edge

Suggests a state of heightened tension and readiness to react, similar to the feeling of being "restive" under pressure.

agitated

Implies a state of emotional disturbance and restlessness, sharing the sense of unease with "restive" but more emotionally charged.

difficult to manage

Focuses on the challenge of controlling or handling someone or something, echoing the resistance aspect of "restive" but less concise.

FAQs

How can I use "restive" in a sentence?

Use "restive" to describe a state of being restless, uneasy, or difficult to control, often due to impatience or dissatisfaction. For example: "The "restive crowd" demanded answers from the officials."

What's the difference between "restive" and "restless"?

"Restless" generally describes an inability to stay still or quiet, while "restive" implies a more specific sense of impatience, unease, or resistance to control. A "restless child" might simply be energetic, but a "restive population" is likely resisting authority or difficult circumstances.

What can I say instead of "restive"?

You can use alternatives like "uneasy", "impatient", or "rebellious" depending on the specific context.

Is "restive" a formal word?

The word "restive" carries a slightly formal tone and is often used in news reporting and academic writing to describe populations or groups experiencing unrest or resistance.