restive
Uneasy under constraint
Restive describes someone unable to remain still or quiet, especially under constraint or delay.
A restive horse resists control; a restive crowd grows impatient.
The word suggests resistance to restriction rather than simple energy: The students grew restive during the long assembly.
Despite its resemblance to "rest," restive means the opposite—fidgety, uneasy, hard to manage.
Nervously unable to settle
nervous · unsettled · antsy · twitchy · skittish · jumpy · fretful · on-edge
Openly resisting control
- uncooperativeUnwilling to assist others
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- balkyStubbornly uncooperative
- stubbornRefusing to change course
recalcitrant · intractable · mulish · willful · contrary · disobedient · insubordinate · refractory
Domesticated riding animal
- balkyStubbornly uncooperative
- skittishProne to nervous fright
- unbrokenNot damaged or interrupted
- spiritedFull of vim
fractious · high-strung · bridle · reins · handler · spooky · temperamental · mettlesome
fidgety
Nervously unable to settle
jittery · nervous · unsettled · antsy · twitchy · skittish · jumpy · fretful · on-edge · impatient
defiant
Openly resisting control
- uncooperativeUnwilling to assist others
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- balkyStubbornly uncooperative
stubborn · recalcitrant · intractable · mulish · willful · contrary · disobedient · insubordinate · refractory · headstrong
horse
Domesticated riding animal
spirited · fractious · high-strung · bridle · reins · handler · spooky · temperamental · mettlesome · fiery
- misused wordsliterally, irregardless, ironic, disinterested, nauseous
- restitution claimsDemands for wrongful-loss recovery
- financial restitutionMoney paid for harm