restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt 
1
a
: an act of restraining : the state of being restrained
b(1)
: a means of restraining : a restraining force or influence
(2)
: a device that restricts movement
a restraint for children riding in cars
2
: a control over the expression of one's emotions or thoughts
Synonyms
Examples of restraint in a Sentence
Make sure the child safety restraint is in place.
The prisoner was placed in restraints.
His angry response showed a lack of restraint.
The government has acted with restraint in dealing with this crisis.
Recent Examples on the Web
The combination of these two attributes offered each side a sense of psychological security and common consensus, allowing for the informed restraint of lethality.
—
Henry A. Kissinger, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
The Business Combination Agreement includes conditions such as the absence of any legal restraint preventing the consummation of the transactions and the effectiveness of the Registration Statement/Proxy Statement under the Securities Act.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
But many experts – yes, even pest control businesses – caution homeowners to exercise a little restraint.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
The missiles and drones caused minimum damage, and Israel — under pressure from Western countries to show restraint — responded with a limited strike.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for restraint 
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Henry A. Kissinger, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
The Business Combination Agreement includes conditions such as the absence of any legal restraint preventing the consummation of the transactions and the effectiveness of the Registration Statement/Proxy Statement under the Securities Act.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
But many experts – yes, even pest control businesses – caution homeowners to exercise a little restraint.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
The missiles and drones caused minimum damage, and Israel — under pressure from Western countries to show restraint — responded with a limited strike.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for restraint
Dictionary Entries Near restraint
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
1
: the act of restraining : the state of being restrained
held in restraint
2
: a restraining force or influence
3
: control over one's behavior
act with restraint
Medical Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
: a device that restricts movement
restraints such as straitjackets for violent patients
Legal Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
1
a
: an act or fact of restraining see also prior restraint
b
: the state of being restrained
2
a
: a means of restraining
b
: a device that restricts movement (as of prisoners or violent psychiatric patients)
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