restive

UK: /ˈrɛstɪv/ US: /ˈrɛstɪv/ ,(res′tiv)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

res•tive /ˈrɛstɪv/   adj. 

1. unwilling to undergo control or delay;
   uneasy.
2. uncooperative;
   stubborn.

res•tive•ly, adv. 
res•tive•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

res•tive  (res′tiv), adj. 

1. impatient of control, restraint, or delay, as persons;
   restless;
   uneasy.
2. refractory;
   stubborn.
3. refusing to go forward;
   balky:
   a restive horse.

• Old French: inert
• 1375–1425; rest² + -ive; replacing late Middle English restif stationary, balking

res′tive•ly, adv. 
res′tive•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. nervous, unquiet.
• 2. recalcitrant, disobedient, obstinate.

Antonyms

• 1. patient, quiet.
• 2. obedient, tractable.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

restive / ˈrɛstɪv/ adjective

1. restless, nervous, or uneasy
2. impatient of control or authority

Etymology: 16th Century: from Old French restif balky, from rester to remain

ˈrestively adverb

ˈrestiveness noun