What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
restive
Example
The restive horse refused to stand still and kept moving around. [restive: adjective]
Example
The restive crowd grew increasingly agitated as the politician failed to address their concerns. [restive: adjective]
restless
Example
The restless child couldn't sit still and kept fidgeting in his seat. [restless: adjective]
Example
The restless sea was constantly churning and crashing against the shore. [restless: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Restless is more commonly used than restive in everyday language. Restless is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while restive is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between restive and restless?
Both restive and restless are relatively formal words, but restive may be slightly more formal due to its less frequent usage.
