restive.

Restless, uneasy, or impatient, especially under restraint, control, or prolonged pressure.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• a restive horse
• a restive crowd
• grow restive

On the page

The horses grew restive when smoke reached the stable.

A restive crowd pressed toward the only unlocked door.

The passengers became restive after being told to ignore the alarm.

Usage notes

Primary category: fear. Often suggests resistance to control, but modern usage also covers agitated restlessness more broadly. It does not mean restful. Fear, boredom and dissatisfaction are possible causes; context must establish which applies. Gradable with more/most; no inflectional endings normally needed.