Restless vs. Restive
Restless and Restive Definitions
Restless
Characterized by a lack of quiet, repose, or rest
Spent a restless night.
Restive
Uneasily impatient or hard to control under restriction, opposition, criticism, or delay
Passengers on board the delayed airliner began to grow restive.
Restless
Not able to rest, relax, or be still
A restless child.
Restive
Characterized by impatience or an absence of calm; unsettled
Had a restive feeling that something wasn't quite right.
Restless
Having or showing a persistent desire for change or action
"A restless feeling of guilt would always be present with him" (James Joyce).
Restive
Refusing to move. Used of a horse or other animal.
ADVERTISEMENT
Restless
Never still or motionless
The restless sea.
Restive
Impatient under delay, duress, or control.
Restless
Not allowing or affording rest.
The night before his wedding was a restless one.
Restive
Resistant to control; stubborn.
Restless
Without rest; unable to be still or quiet; uneasy; continually moving.
He was a restless child.
She sat, restless and nervous, and tried to concentrate.
Restive
Refusing to move, especially in a forward direction.
ADVERTISEMENT
Restless
Not satisfied to be at rest or in peace; averse to repose; eager for change; discontented.
A restless ambition.
Restive
Unwilling to go on; obstinate in refusing to move forward; stubborn; drawing back.
Restive or resty, drawing back, instead of going forward, as some horses do.
The people remarked with awe and wonder that the beasts which were to drag him [Abraham Holmes] to the gallows became restive, and went back.
Restless
Deprived of rest or sleep.
They remained restless, sitting by the window the entire night.
Restive
Inactive; sluggish.
Restless
Never resting; unquiet; uneasy; continually moving; as, a restless child.
Restive
Impatient under coercion, chastisement, or opposition; refractory.
ADVERTISEMENT
Restless
Not satisfied to be at rest or in peace; averse to repose or quiet; eager for change; discontented; as, restless schemers; restless ambition; restless subjects.
Restive
Uneasy; restless; averse to standing still; fidgeting about; - applied especially to horses.
Restless
Deprived of rest or sleep.
Restless he passed the remnants of the night.
Restive
Being in a tense state
Restless
Passed in unquietness; as, the patient has had a restless night.
Restive
Impatient especially under restriction or delay;
The government has done nothing to ease restrictions and manufacturers are growing restive
Restless
Not affording rest; as, a restless chair.
Restless
Unable to relax or be still;
A constant fretful stamping of hooves
Itchy for excitement
A restless child
Restless
Worried and uneasy
Restless
Ceaselessly in motion;
The restless sea
The restless wind
Restless
Marked by a lack of quiet; not conducive to rest;
Spent a restless night
Fell into an uneasy sleep
