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

• constraint
• continence
• discipline
• discretion
• inhibition
• refrainment
• repression
• reserve
• self-command
• self-control
• self-restraint
• suppression

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

World leaders from the Middle East to the U.S. urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show restraint in the face of the Iranian attacks, but the Israeli leader and other top officials said the country would have little choice but to respond. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 19 Apr. 2024

The radio silence was notable after weeks of U.S. officials publicly urging Israel to show restraint. —Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French restreinte, from restreindre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing restraint

• head restraint
• kept/placed under restraint
• passive restraint
• prior restraint
• self-restraint
• under restraint

Kids 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)