What does "unrest" mean?

1. (political or social trouble) a state of public anger or worry, often involving protests, strikes, or riots. 2. (personal worry) a feeling of being worried, nervous, or not at peace.

How do you use "unrest"?

Usually uncountable; often preceded by adjectives like 'civil', 'political', or 'social'. Uncountable in this abstract sense.

unrest

US //ənˈɹɛst// UK //ʌnɹˈɛst// un·rest

1 political or social trouble (n.)
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.

Example

The government is trying to stop the civil unrest by talking to the protesters.

Example

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'.
2 personal worry (n.)
C1 Advanced Literary

a feeling of being worried, nervous, or not at peace.

a state of individual mental or emotional agitation; a lack of tranquility.

Example

He felt a deep sense of unrest and couldn't stop thinking about his future.

Example

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.
- serenity
- contentment

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”).