restive

[res-tiv] /ˈrɛs tɪv/

adjective

impatient of control, restraint, or delay, as persons; restless; uneasy.

refractory; stubborn.

refusing to go forward; balky:

a restive horse.

Origin

1375-1425; rest² + -ive; replacing late Middle English restif stationary, balking < Old French: inert

Related forms

restively, adverb

restiveness, noun

Can be confused

restful, restive.

Synonyms

1. nervous, unquiet. 2. recalcitrant, disobedient, obstinate.

Antonyms

1. patient, quiet. 2. obedient, tractable.

Examples from the web for restive

The logic doesn't fly, and it has given rise to an increasingly restive adjunct population.
Sometimes they are built to keep restive populations from fleeing.
Notoriously restive motorcycle taxi drivers were paid off to deter gang violence.
Where the former film is agonized and sullen, the latter is mischievous and restive, daring us to be dismayed by its insolence.
Much of the citizenry has become more restive-less accepting of the way things are.
restive followers have been pushing for a new owner, and some have called on sponsors to intervene.
Soon after it first appeared last spring, city fathers grew restive.
Of specific interest is the use of music in the evening, which may contribute to the achievement of restive sleep.
The organic semiconductor is undoped and highly restive.
When finished, it will be a quiet, restive place where visitors can enjoy newly restored native plants and trees.

British Dictionary definitions for restive

restive

/ˈrɛstɪv/

adjective

restless, nervous, or uneasy

impatient of control or authority

Derived Forms

restively, adverb
restiveness, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Old French restif balky, from rester to remain

Word Origin and History for restive

adj.

early 15c., restyffe "not moving forward," from Middle French restif "motionless, brought to a standstill" (Modern French rétif), from rester "to remain" (see rest (n.2)). Sense of "unmanageable" (1680s) evolved via notion of a horse refusing to go forward.