restrained; restraining; restrains
1
a
: to prevent from doing, exhibiting, or expressing something
restrained the child from jumping
b
: to limit, restrict, or keep under control
try to restrain your anger
2
: to moderate or limit the force, effect, development, or full exercise of
restrain trade
3
: to deprive of liberty
especially
: to place under arrest or restraint
restrainer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of restrain in a Sentence
He could not restrain the dog from attacking.
He could restrain himself no longer.
Hospital orderlies needed to restrain the patient.
He was restrained and placed in a holding cell.
He could barely restrain his anger.
The manufacturer took measures to restrain costs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Moments later, another body camera captures the inmate restrained in handcuffs being carried face down by three officers — two at his arms, another at his legs — through the entryway.
—
Thomas C. Zambito, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
Mary got another domestic violence restraining order on Dec. 30, an order the court extended on Jan. 22.
—David J. Neal and, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2025
According to court records obtained by the Herald, Mary Catherine got a domestic violence restraining order against her estranged husband in February 2024, shortly before their divorce proceedings began.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 16 Feb. 2025
Rather than deescalate or comfort him, the lawsuit says, he was sprayed four times, including twice at close range after being restrained, despite no physical threat to staff.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for restrain 
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Thomas C. Zambito, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
Mary got another domestic violence restraining order on Dec. 30, an order the court extended on Jan. 22.
—David J. Neal and, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2025
According to court records obtained by the Herald, Mary Catherine got a domestic violence restraining order against her estranged husband in February 2024, shortly before their divorce proceedings began.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 16 Feb. 2025
Rather than deescalate or comfort him, the lawsuit says, he was sprayed four times, including twice at close range after being restrained, despite no physical threat to staff.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for restrain
Dictionary Entries Near restrain
Cite this Entry
“Restrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restrain. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
restrain
transitive verb
re·strain
ri-ˈstrān 
1
a
: to prevent from doing something see also restraining order at order sense 3b
b
: to limit, restrict, or keep under control
2
: to moderate or limit the force, effect, development, or full exercise of
3
: to deprive of liberty and especially of physical movement
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