unrest
n. uncountablen. a situation where many people are angry or worried, often leading to protests or public fighting. It usually happens when people are unhappy with the government or their working conditions.
n. a state of public dissatisfaction or agitation, typically manifesting as social or political protest. Often used to describe civil disorder or industrial disputes.
The new tax law caused widespread unrest in the city.
The government called for a meeting with local leaders to address the growing civil unrest before it turned into violence.
Historians often point to the period of industrial unrest as the primary catalyst for the sweeping labor reforms that followed in the subsequent decade.
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”).