Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Impatient, especially under restriction or delay: Describes a state of being unable to stay still or calm due to frustration with constraints, rules, or waiting.
   • Being in a tense, nervous, or unsettled state: Describes a condition of unease, agitation, or restlessness, often in anticipation of something or due to confinement.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The crowd grew restive after waiting for hours in the heat without any information.
  • The restive horse refused to stand still in its stall.
  • Investors are becoming restive over the company's lack of a clear strategy.

Advanced Usage

• "to grow/become restive": This common collocation describes the process of becoming increasingly impatient or agitated.
  • The team grew restive under the manager's constant micromanagement.
• "a restive mood/atmosphere": Used to describe a collective feeling of tension and impatience.
  • A restive mood settled over the parliament as the debate dragged on.

Variants and Related Words

• Restively (adverb): In a restless or impatient manner.
  • The audience shifted restively in their seats.
• Restiveness (noun): The state or quality of being restive.
  • The restiveness of the population was a clear sign of discontent.

Synonyms

• Agitated: Feeling or appearing troubled or nervous.
• Fidgety: Inclined to move about restlessly.
• Uneasy: Feeling anxious or troubled.
• Impatient: Having or showing a tendency to be quickly irritated or eager for change.

Antonyms

• Calm: Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions.
• Patient: Able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.
• Placid: Not easily upset or excited.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Champing at the bit": An idiom with a similar meaning, suggesting eagerness and impatience to start something, originally referring to a restless horse.
  • The players were champing at the bit to get back on the field after the rain delay. (Note: This idiom conveys a similar sense of impatience as "restive.")

Adjective

1. impatient especially under restriction or delay
   • the government has done nothing to ease restrictions and manufacturers are growing restive
2. being in a tense state