1
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
she demonstrated an almost unnatural self-restraint during the fight
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2
as in discipline
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
we must practice self-restraint even with people who are deliberately rude
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Recent Examples of self-restraint
Such self-restraint is vital for AI systems in fields like healthcare, finance and autonomous vehicles, where unchecked intelligence could lead to unintended consequences.
—
Amandeep Midha, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Emery traded in the candour of the Diaby and Bailey axis for self-restraint, with a midfield consisting of four central midfielders; safer on the ball and playing in pockets of space.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 17 July 2024
Planning for potential conflict—not to mention decision-making in the heat of a crisis—will be more challenging if Canberra, Tokyo, and Seoul question American intent or self-restraint.
—Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
Does a teenager really operate such that a six-game suspension prospect as against a one-game suspension prospect (the NCS policy) tips the scale in his psyche in favor of exercising self-restraint?
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-restraint 
Amandeep Midha, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Emery traded in the candour of the Diaby and Bailey axis for self-restraint, with a midfield consisting of four central midfielders; safer on the ball and playing in pockets of space.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 17 July 2024
Planning for potential conflict—not to mention decision-making in the heat of a crisis—will be more challenging if Canberra, Tokyo, and Seoul question American intent or self-restraint.
—Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
Does a teenager really operate such that a six-game suspension prospect as against a one-game suspension prospect (the NCS policy) tips the scale in his psyche in favor of exercising self-restraint?
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-restraint
Thesaurus Entries Near self-restraint
Cite this Entry
“Self-restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-restraint. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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