Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

unrest

/ʌnˈɹɛst/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about unrest at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A state of agitation or turbulent change or development.
the political ferment produced new leadership
A feeling of restless agitation.

Origin

From Middle English unreste, equivalent to un- + rest. Cognate with West Frisian ûnrêst (“unrest”), Dutch onrust (“unrest”), German Low German Unrüst (“unrest”). Compare also Saterland Frisian Uunraue (“unrest”), German Unruhe (“unrest”), Danish uro (“unrest”), Swedish oro (“unrest”), Icelandic órói (“unrest”). Compare also Old English orrest (“battle”), Old Norse orrosta, orresta (“battle”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word