Unrest Meaning
/ʌnˈɹɛst/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA state of trouble, confusion and turbulence, especially in a political context; a time of riots, demonstrations and protests.
nounSomething that troubles or confuses; that which causes unrest.
Sentence Examples
Social unrest may come about as a result of the endless rising of prices.
Some scholars ascribe the settlement of America to social unrest in Western Europe.
Economic inequality can lead to widespread social unrest in cities.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The growing ____ in the city led to many protests and clashes with police.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sudden change in policy caused a lot of social ____ among the people who were affected by the new rules today.
Word Origin & History
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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"What words are these have fall’n from me?
Can calm despair and wild unrest
Be tenants of a single breast,
Or sorrow such a changeling be?"
— 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XVI”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 26:
"Few expect the unrest to stop anytime soon. The government may hope to outflank the protest movement by painting them as unwilling to accept compromise, but even some of Lam’s allies have publicly said that the withdrawal was too little, too late."
— 2019 September 4, James Griffith, “Hong Kong government’s attempt to outflank protesters is doomed to fail”, in CNN:
"In her pyjamas, Sadie turned back the bedclothes to a single sheet, and settled down under it with a sigh of content; the languors of a body untroubled by mental unrests were a reward for the day's exertions."
— 1950, Norman Lindsay, Dust or Polish?, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 8:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The growing ____ in the city led to many protests and clashes with police.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sudden change in policy caused a lot of social ____ among the people who were affected by the new rules today.