unrest
Widespread public agitation
Unrest is a state of dissatisfaction, disturbance, or turmoil, especially among a group of people.
It suggests agitation that hasn't yet erupted into open conflict: civil unrest, labor unrest, growing unrest among the population.
The word implies collective discontent simmering beneath the surface, often preceding protests or upheaval.
Complete disorder and confusion
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- disturbanceDisruption of order
- disorderAbsence of organization
- commotionNoisy, confused disturbance
tumult · riot · rebellion · insurrection · anarchy · pandemonium · ferment · disruption
Absence of shared opinion
- discordLack of agreement
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
strife · schism · defiance · objection · dissension · disunity · resistance · nonconformity
Emotional response to threat
- worryTroubled mental state
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- uneaseMild persistent worry
trepidation · dread · panic · stress · edginess · tension · alarm · distress
State of being displeased
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
- disaffectionLoss of loyalty
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- disgruntlementSulky dissatisfaction with circumstances
displeasure · indignation · disapproval · alienation · bitterness · frustration · antipathy · disenchantment
Public display of opinion
- marchRhythmic group walk
- rallyGathering for a cause
- sit-inProtest by remaining seated
- boycottOrganized economic protest
strike · civil disobedience · picketing · petition · vigil · blockade · occupation · solidarity
Violent governmental overthrow
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- insurgencyArmed uprising against authority
- destabilizationCausing loss of stability
civil war · martial law · crackdown · curfew · state of emergency · repression · oppression · tyranny
One who stirs dissent
- inciterOne who provokes action
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
- instigatorOne who provokes action
- firebrandAgitator or burning stick
troublemaker · revolutionary · fomenter · militant · rioter · rebel · dissident · agitator
chaos
Complete disorder and confusion
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- disturbanceDisruption of order
- disorderAbsence of organization
commotion · tumult · riot · rebellion · insurrection · anarchy · pandemonium · ferment · disruption · violence
disagreement
Absence of shared opinion
- discordLack of agreement
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
friction · strife · schism · defiance · objection · dissension · disunity · resistance · nonconformity · division
fear
Emotional response to threat
- worryTroubled mental state
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
unease · trepidation · dread · panic · stress · edginess · tension · alarm · distress · angst
dissatisfaction
State of being displeased
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
- disaffectionLoss of loyalty
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
disgruntlement · displeasure · indignation · disapproval · alienation · bitterness · frustration · antipathy · disenchantment · disillusionment
demonstration
Public display of opinion
boycott · strike · civil disobedience · picketing · petition · vigil · blockade · occupation · solidarity · activism
revolution
Violent governmental overthrow
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- insurgencyArmed uprising against authority
destabilization · civil war · martial law · crackdown · curfew · state of emergency · repression · oppression · tyranny · authoritarianism
rabble-rouser
One who stirs dissent
- inciterOne who provokes action
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
- instigatorOne who provokes action
firebrand · troublemaker · revolutionary · fomenter · militant · rioter · rebel · dissident · agitator · demagogue
- conflictclash, fight, war, battle, dispute
- instabilityinstability, unsteadiness, shakiness, wobbliness, precariousness
- French RevolutionBastille, guillotine, Robespierre, French Revolution, Marie Antoinette
- rebellionrevolt, rebel, mutiny, insurgency, insurrection
- social conflictclass conflict, class struggle, class warfare, class war, power struggles
- 1905 RevolutionBloody Sunday, Tsar Nicholas II, Potemkin, general strike, Winter Palace
unrestpeace
Freedom from disturbance
order · stability · calm · tranquility · harmony
unrestpeace
Freedom from disturbance
calm · tranquility · tranquillity · serenity · peacefulness
unrestrest
Cessation of activity
stillness · repose · quiet · relaxation · inactivity
- civil unrestPublic disturbance by citizens
- political unrestSocietal turbulence over governance
- social unrestPublic disturbance from grievances
- labor unrestEmployee-employer conflict
- civic unrestPublic disorder from discontent
- industrial unrestWorkplace conflict over conditions