Restive Definition

rĕstĭv
adjective
Hard to control; unruly; refractory.
Webster's New World
Refusing to go forward; balky, as a horse.
Webster's New World
Nervous or impatient under pressure or restraint; restless; unsettled.
Webster's New World
The definition of restive is someone who feels nervous when criticized or controlled, or a person or animal that stubbornly refuses to move forward.
An increasingly impatient child who is become more tense and unruly is an example of someone who would be described as restive.
A horse that won't move forward no matter how much you pull on the reins is an example of a horse that would be described as restive.
YourDictionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
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Origin of Restive

  • Middle English restif stationary from Old French from rester to remain from Latin restāre to keep back re- re- stāre to stand stā- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Restive Sentence Examples

  • The consultants are getting a bit restive about their negotiations.

  • The French, we heard, were getting restive.

  • As often happens, the horses of a convoy wagon became restive at the end of the bridge, and the whole crowd had to wait.

  • That was a man in hunting costume, and he rode a spirited and restive horse.

  • Under this arrangement British Columbia became exceedingly restive, holding the Dominion to the engagement by which it had been induced to enter the union.

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Words Starting With

RRERES

Words Ending With

EVEIVE

Unscrambles

restive

Words Starting With R and Ending With E

Starts With R & Ends With EStarts With RE & Ends With EStarts With R & Ends With VE

Word Length

7 Letter Words7 Letter Words Starting With R7 Letter Words Ending With E