unrest
gb/ʌnɹˈɛst/ us/ʌnɹˈɛst/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
public disorder and protests
trouble in a place, with protests or violence
Usage pattern:
unrest in [place]; unrest over [issue]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with personal “restlessness”; in news and politics, “unrest” usually refers to public disorder.
Synonyms
turmoil (often suggests greater chaos or instability.)
|
disturbance (often refers to a smaller or more specific incident.)
|
disorder (emphasizes the lack of public order.)
Antonyms
stability (a steady situation without major disruption.)
|
peace (a condition without violence or conflict.)
Collocations
civil unrest
|political unrest
|widespread unrest
|growing unrest
|unrest erupts
|unrest breaks out
|unrest spreads
|spark unrest
|quell unrest
|a period of unrest
Themes
politics
|society
|law_and_order
|news
Examples
- Unrest spread quickly after the disputed election results were announced.
- The government imposed a curfew to contain the unrest in the capital.
- Rising food prices have fueled unrest across several cities.
Learner examples
- There was unrest in the city after the protest.
- The news reported unrest in the region.
Noun
C1
state
2
anxious restlessness
a worried or unsettled feeling
Usage pattern:
a feeling/sense of unrest; unrest about/over [something]
Common mistake:
In this sense, “unrest” is usually uncountable (not “an unrest”), and it is more formal than “restlessness.”
Synonyms
unease (a general feeling of discomfort or worry, often less intense.)
|
restlessness (often emphasizes an inability to keep still, physically or mentally.)
|
anxiety (usually stronger and more clearly connected to worry or fear.)
Antonyms
calm (a peaceful, relaxed state.)
|
contentment (a settled feeling of satisfaction.)
Collocations
a sense of unrest
|inner unrest
|deep unrest
|growing unrest
|unrest and anxiety
|feel unrest
|unrest about the future
|emotional unrest
|unrest in the mind
|underlying unrest
Themes
emotions
|mental_health
Examples
- She couldn’t explain the unrest she felt before the meeting.
- There was a quiet unrest in him, as if something was about to change.
- Trying to ignore the uncertainty only increased his unrest.
Learner examples
- I felt unrest before the exam.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unrest
IPA
GB/ʌnɹˈɛst/
US/ʌnɹˈɛst/
Syllables & stress
un - rest (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (rest)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: unrest
- Plural: unrest
Expressions
civil unrest
1/sˈɪvəl ʌnɹˈɛst/
fixed phrase
formal
disorder among the public
serious public trouble like riots or protests
Examples
- The minister warned that the cuts could lead to civil unrest.
- Civil unrest continued for a third night in the downtown area.
- International observers called for calm after reports of civil unrest.
labor unrest
1/lˈeɪbɚ ʌnɹˈɛst/
fixed phrase
business
worker conflict and strikes
workers are unhappy and may strike
Examples
- The company offered a pay rise to avoid labor unrest.
- Labor unrest disrupted production at several factories.
- Managers met union leaders after signs of labor unrest.
political unrest
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl ʌnɹˈɛst/
fixed phrase
instability caused by politics
trouble and protests connected to politics
Examples
- Investors pulled back because of political unrest in the region.
- Political unrest intensified after the prime minister resigned.
- The embassy issued a warning about possible political unrest.
social unrest
1/sˈoʊʃəl ʌnɹˈɛst/
fixed phrase
public anger and protests
protests and trouble caused by social problems
Examples
- High youth unemployment has contributed to social unrest.
- The report warned of social unrest if housing costs keep rising.
- Leaders met with community groups to ease social unrest.