restlessness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "restlessness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of being unable to relax or stay still. For example, "She couldn't concentrate on her studies due to her growing restlessness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The restlessness of youth, the landscape of the north, parents, class, the 1984 miners' strike (over long before she was born), and peripheral glimpses of the animal world are some of the poetic concerns of a collection that never becomes parochial or narrowly autobiographical.

The Guardian - Books

She captured Francis Bacon's anxious restlessness, Orson Welles's intensity, the young David Hockney's emerging dandyism, Björk's antic imagination and Samuel Beckett's inscrutable gaze.

The Guardian - Arts

The comedian hinted at restlessness when he took time off in 2013 to make his film writing and directorial debut, Rosewater, a political drama about Maziar Bahari, a journalist accused of spying and imprisoned in Iran.

The Guardian

Stewart's recent appearance on Jerry Seinfeld's web series Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee is certainly worth watching if you'd like to see traces of the restlessness he'd soon attribute to his decision to leave.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

More fateful restlessness soon showed across a broader canvas.

The Guardian

There's a restlessness, an unease, a desperation, an existential panic.

The Guardian - Film

The lawyers are now threatening a strike unless this ruling is respected.The lawyers' anger reflects a more general mood of restlessness.

The Economist

Yasmina Reza, a playwright, wrote of this restlessness as a desire somehow to "combat the slippage of time".

The Economist

A mix of pressures home-grown terrorism, criticism from abroad, and the general restlessness of their mostly youthful subjects—apressures home-grownened Saudi princes terrorismcriticism ofromnning abroade, modern stand like a family ranch.

The Economist

His was the solitude, self-doubt and restlessness of dislocation and displacement.

The Economist

Brilliance, restlessness and a distrust of authority marked all he touched in a distinguished professorial career, mainly at Harvard University, where he seldom taught the same course twice.The book with which Mr Nozick burst on the public scene in 1974 was "Anarchy, State and Utopia", a work of political thought that is acknowledged as a modern classic.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a general sense of unease or societal tension, "restlessness" effectively conveys a widespread feeling of anticipation or dissatisfaction.

Common error

Avoid using "restlessness" when you mean "restful". "Restlessness" describes a state of agitation, while "restful" describes a state of calm and relaxation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "restlessness" is as a noun. It refers to the state or quality of being restless. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing personal feelings, societal conditions, and even characteristics of historical periods.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "restlessness" functions as a noun denoting a state of being unable to relax or stay still. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for diverse writing contexts. Its usage spans from describing personal feelings to characterizing broader societal trends. The term is very common across various authoritative sources like The Economist, Encyclopedia Britannica, and The Guardian. While "restlessness" maintains a neutral tone, its specific nuance depends on the context. Alternatives such as "unease" or "agitation" may better suit specific descriptions. When using "restlessness", ensure you are not confusing it with its opposite, "restful".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unease

Focuses more on the mental or emotional discomfort rather than the physical inability to stay still.

agitation

Emphasizes a state of anxiety or nervous excitement.

uneasiness

Highlights a feeling of discomfort or anxiety, often without a clear cause.

fidgetiness

Specifically refers to the physical act of fidgeting, a manifestation of restlessness.

inability to relax

Directly describes the lack of ability to find calmness and tranquility.

state of anxiety

Emphasizes the anxious mental state that can accompany restlessness.

lack of peace

Highlights the absence of tranquility and serenity.

nervousness

Highlights the nervous energy and apprehension associated with restlessness.

disquietude

A more formal term for a state of disturbance or anxiety.

itchiness

A metaphorical term suggesting a strong desire to move or do something different.

FAQs

How can I use "restlessness" in a sentence?

You can use "restlessness" to describe a state of being unable to relax or stay still. For example, "The long flight filled her with "restlessness"."

What are some synonyms for "restlessness"?

Some synonyms for "restlessness" include "unease", "agitation", and "fidgetiness". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "restlessness" in formal writing?

Yes, "restlessness" is appropriate for formal writing. Ludwig examples show that it appears frequently in news media and academic articles.

What's the difference between "restlessness" and "anxiety"?

"Restlessness" describes a physical or mental inability to stay still, while "anxiety" is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an event or something with an uncertain outcome. "Restlessness" can be a symptom of "anxiety", but they are not the same thing.