UNREST Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

unrest

noun

ˌən-ˈrest

Definition of unrest

as in turmoil

a disturbed or uneasy state unrest gripped the city as the people nervously awaited the expected bombardment his stomach unrest was just a sign of stage fright

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of unrest But by the time the bicentennial rolled around, my life had played out against the backdrop of civil unrest and the Vietnam War, both spilling from our black-and-white television almost nightly. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said South Africa had learned lessons from the unrest in 2021, which was triggered by the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 July 2026 But during his stay, Haiti's already fragile political system devolved into unrest and violence that led to the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and continues to today. — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 2 July 2026 It’s also widely seen as part of a broader vision to ensure national security under Xi, who came to power in 2012 following widespread 2008 protests in Tibet and deadly unrest in Xinjiang, home to its Uyghur minority. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unrest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unrest

turmoil

Noun

The landlocked mineral-rich nation is facing one of its deepest political crises in decades as economic turmoil, nationwide protests and a battle over the country’s future threaten to reshape the balance of power in South America.

— Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Political turmoil intensifies as resignations, Russia’s rising threat and pressure from a skeptical United States leave Britain’s next leader to prove the plan can truly safeguard Europe.

— Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026