restrain

verb

ri-ˈstrān How to pronounce restrain (audio)
Definition of restrainnext
1
as in to regulate
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) the victim's family members were unable to restrain their emotions upon hearing the verdict

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to arrest
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law the suspect was restrained and taken to an undisclosed location

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb restrain contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of restrain are bridle, check, and curb. While all these words 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

When could bridle be used to replace restrain?

The words bridle and restrain can be used in similar contexts, but bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

When can check be used instead of restrain?

The words check and restrain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

Where would curb be a reasonable alternative to restrain?

Although the words curb and restrain have much in common, curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of restrain In Live Fruit Flies By Ian Randall Deputy Science Editor Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 Paleontologists have discovered a disturbing new species of ancient wasp that restrained its prey using its Venus flytrap-like abdomen before laying eggs in the victim. — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025 The three-flap abdominal apparatus may have served as a mechanism to temporarily restrain the host during egg-laying, the researchers said. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025 The perfumed notes are calibrated and restrained so that the blossoms underpin more familiar flavors like punchy, piney juniper and juicy pomelo peel. — Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 20 Mar. 2025 At Refuge of Grace, Groves said, discipline for breaking a rule included excessive workouts, restraining, standing against a wall for hours on end and bans on talking. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for restrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrain
  1. regulate
  2. arrest
  3. control
  4. seize
  5. contain
  6. grab
  7. curb
  8. apprehend
Verb
  • Aside from crime, the advisory spotlights the dangers around jet skiing and boating in the Bahamas, noting that the boating industry is not well regulated and some watercraft are not licensed, which has led to injury and death.
    — Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Trump announced the tariffs under the authority of the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, or IEEPA, which grants the president the power to regulate imports.
    — Brett Samuels, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • In 2019, he was arrested alongside three other men in Maryland and detained by federal immigration authorities while an immigration judge examined his case.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Horner, owner of Tarpon Coast Fishing Charters, has since been arrested and charged with burglary with assault or battery following an investigation, according to Punta Gorda Police Department and the Daytona Beach News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
    — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of arrest
Verb
  • Tszyu looked poised and controlled in the early going of the contest.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Tiny parasitic wasps also control aphids with adults laying their eggs within the aphids and the developing wasp larvae feeding on them.
    — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of control
Verb
  • At that point, Hamas had emerged victorious in elections and seized power amid a violent rift with the PA's leading Fatah faction, still led by Arafat's successor, President Mahmoud Abbas.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Illinois was among the first states to pass an NIL law, and Kolak was ready to seize the moment.
    — Stacy St. Clair, ProPublica, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of seize
Verb
  • This post contains spoilers for the 1923 series finale. 1923 was life-changing in more ways than one for Brandon Sklenar and Julia Schlaepfer.
    — Julia Moore, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Garland bristles at the idea the movie contains a message.
    — Thomas Page, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of contain
Verb
  • The team still must determine who will grab the eighth spot in the bullpen.
    — Dan Hayes, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
  • She was seen writhing in pain grabbing her right knee.
    — Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Residents in the Houston, Galveston, and Brazoria areas are being asked to change their daily routines to help curb air pollution, following an Ozone Action Day declaration for Wednesday, April 9, by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • To curb emotional monitoring, work on trying to let go of the urge to predict or fix every emotional shift in your partner.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of curb
Verb
  • Police believed Jones was armed with a gun during the events that led to Reynolds’ death, but no gun was found when he was apprehended.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
  • He was apprehended in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following a five-day search.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of apprehend

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restoring
restrain
restrained
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Cite this Entry

“Restrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrain. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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