Restive: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when describing someone who is becoming difficult to control, often due to impatience or unease.

• The students grew restive as the lecture dragged on without a break

Best used to describe someone or something that is difficult to control or manage, often behaving in a wild or chaotic way.

• The kindergarten class was particularly unruly on the day after Halloween

Describes someone who resists authority or control, often in a deliberate and confrontational manner.

• The teenager was going through a rebellious phase, constantly questioning his parents' rules

Appropriate for situations where a person is unable to wait calmly or becomes easily irritated by delays.

• She was impatient when the train was late by only a few minutes

Use when describing someone who is uneasy or unable to stay still, often due to impatience or boredom.

• The audience grew restive as the speaker exceeded the allotted time

Describes someone or something that is difficult to control or manage, often used in both everyday and formal contexts.

• The unruly crowd was difficult for the police to manage during the protest

Ideal for describing someone who resists authority or control, typically in a more serious or significant context.

• The rebellious teenager challenged every rule set by her school and parents

Suitable for describing someone who refuses to follow rules or instructions, often in everyday situations.

• The disobedient child refused to clean his room despite his parents' repeated requests