Word
unrest
Phoneticsun·rest, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈɹɛst/
UK/ʌnɹˈɛst/
Definitions
01political or social trouble
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a state of public anger or worry, often involving protests, strikes, or riots.
n. a state of turbulence or agitation within a population, typically manifesting as political protests or civil disobedience.
“The government is trying to stop the civil unrest by talking to the protesters.”
“Widespread economic hardship and rising food prices have triggered a period of intense social unrest across the northern provinces.”
Usage
Usually uncountable; often preceded by adjectives like 'civil', 'political', or 'social'.
02personal worry
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary
n. a feeling of being worried, nervous, or not at peace.
n. a state of individual mental or emotional agitation; a lack of tranquility.
“He felt a deep sense of unrest and couldn't stop thinking about his future.”
“A growing spiritual unrest drove the poet to seek solitude in the mountains, far from the distractions of the city.”
Usage
Uncountable in this abstract sense.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“At least three people were killed during the unrest in October 2025.” “Thousands are believed to have been killed during the unrest.” Etymology
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/unrest