restrain

verb

re·​strain ri-ˈstrān How to pronounce restrain (audio)
restrained; restraining; restrains

transitive verb

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
restrainable adjective
restrainer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for restrain

restrain, check, curb, bridle mean to hold back from or control in doing something.

restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The landscaping is restrained, all clean lines and neat minimalism. arkansasonline.com, 9 Mar. 2025 The ayatollah has repeatedly said Iran cannot trust that the United States would honor any bargain, especially after Mr. Trump pulled out of the last agreement to restrain Iran’s program. David E. Sanger, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2025 In sports, the leagues want to restrain the player labor markets in a variety of ways, including through maximum salaries, salary caps, free agency restrictions, player drafts, and more. Chris Deubert, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 How the firing squad execution method worked Sigmon was seated and restrained in a metal chair, a hood over his head, in the corner of a room shared by the state's electric chair, according to the execution witnesses. Amanda Lee Myers, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for restrain

Word History

Etymology

Middle English restraynen, from Anglo-French restreindre, from Latin restringere to restrain, restrict, from re- + stringere to bind tight — more at strain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of restrain was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Restrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restrain. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

restrain

verb
re·​strain ri-ˈstrān How to pronounce restrain (audio)
1
a
: to prevent from doing something
b
: to keep back : curb
restrain one's anger
c
: to limit or keep under control
restrain trade
2
: to take away liberty
especially : to place under arrest or restraint
restrainable adjective
restrainer noun

Legal Definition

restrain

transitive verb
re·​strain ri-ˈstrān How to pronounce restrain (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on restrain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!