restive
/ˈɹɛstɪv/
Group 5Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Unable to keep still or silent; restless; resistant to control GRE
Example in Context
The restive crowd grew increasingly agitated as hours passed without any official statement from the authorities.
Synonyms
restlessfidgetyuneasy
Etymology
Unable to be still — a restless spirit that resists control.
- rest (Latin) — to be still
Memory Aid
🐕Sounds like “rest-ive”
A hyperactive dog named RESTIVE who just can’t sit still, bouncing off the walls instead!
Visual Association
🏃♂️A person pacing back and forth, unable to stay in one spot, like a caged animal longing to break free.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Confusable Pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “restive” mean on the GRE?
restive (adjective) means “Unable to keep still or silent; restless; resistant to control”. The restive crowd grew increasingly agitated as hours passed without any official statement from the authorities.
How to remember “restive” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “restive” sounds like “rest-ive”. A hyperactive dog named RESTIVE who just can’t sit still, bouncing off the walls instead!
What are synonyms for “restive”?
Common synonyms: restless, fidgety, uneasy.