unrest
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a state of public anger or worry, often involving protests, strikes, or riots.
a state of turbulence or agitation within a population, typically manifesting as political protests or civil disobedience.
Simple“The government is trying to stop the civil unrest by talking to the protesters.”
In context“Widespread economic hardship and rising food prices have triggered a period of intense social unrest across the northern provinces.”
UsageUsually uncountable; often preceded by adjectives like 'civil', 'political', or 'social'.
- 02 C1 Advanced
a feeling of being worried, nervous, or not at peace.
a state of individual mental or emotional agitation; a lack of tranquility.
Simple“He felt a deep sense of unrest and couldn't stop thinking about his future.”
In context“A growing spiritual unrest drove the poet to seek solitude in the mountains, far from the distractions of the city.”
UsageUncountable in this abstract sense.
SynonymsAntonyms
“Thousands are believed to have been killed during the unrest.”
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.