restrained; restraining; restrains
1
a
: to prevent from doing, exhibiting, or expressing something
restrained the child from jumping
I wanted another piece but somehow restrained myself.
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
restrainer
noun
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
The officers are not seen physically restraining her, but appear to form a barrier between the crowd and ICE agents.
—
Kenny Choi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
On Sunday, a video appearing to show immigration agents restraining a crying woman in front of her child at San Francisco International Airport circulated on social media platforms.
—Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Police entered the apartment when Walker reportedly tried to close the door as he was being restrained by his son, who was one of several family members at the scene, according to the report.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Beginning with the 1795 Calling Forth Act and in subsequent legislation, Congress restrained the chief executive’s ability to mobilize militia.
—Kori Schake, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restrain
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Kenny Choi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
On Sunday, a video appearing to show immigration agents restraining a crying woman in front of her child at San Francisco International Airport circulated on social media platforms.
—Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Police entered the apartment when Walker reportedly tried to close the door as he was being restrained by his son, who was one of several family members at the scene, according to the report.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Beginning with the 1795 Calling Forth Act and in subsequent legislation, Congress restrained the chief executive’s ability to mobilize militia.
—Kori Schake, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restrain
Cite this Entry
“Restrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restrain. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
restrain
transitive verb
re·strain
ri-ˈstrān 
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
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