restrain

verb

re·strain | \ri-ˈstrān

restrained; restraining; restrains

Definition of restrain

transitive verb

1a : to prevent from doing, exhibiting, or expressing something restrained the child from jumping

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

Other Words from restrain Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about restrain

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Choose the Right Synonym for restrain

restrain, check, curb, bridle 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 check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus. trying to check government spending curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking. learn to curb your appetite bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in. bridle an impulse to throw the book down

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

Bush may have been polite where Trump is crude, restrained where Trump is over-the-top. — Anna North, Vox, "What George H.W. Bush’s presidency says about Trump and Kavanaugh," 3 Dec. 2018 For Madonna, a large black bow did little to restrain her tangle of wild curls—a nonverbal reminder that she would not be tamed. — Alexandra Pechman, Vogue, "6 Iconic Women Who Turned a Hair Ribbon Into the Ultimate Beauty Win," 22 Oct. 2018 The killing involved restraining the journalist and injecting him with a tranquilizer that led to his death by overdose, the office said. — Ian Talley, WSJ, "Saudis to Seek Death Penalty in Khashoggi Killing," 15 Nov. 2018 Camilla and Giulia Venturini launched their restrained, ultra-luxe collection of shopper totes in all sizes, named Medea after Pier Paolo Pasolini’s 1969 film, earlier this year and already call Petra Collins and Dev Hynes fans. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "Italy’s Must-Have New Bag Line Debuts a Nan Goldin Collaboration," 20 Sep. 2018 The man said he had been tied up with ropes at first but later, after learning to wriggle free, was restrained with increasingly larger chains on and off over six years. — Crimesider Staff, CBS News, "Turpin sister's photos of shackled siblings draw gasps in court," 21 June 2018 While Audie and his 53-year-old wife were properly restrained at the time of the crash, their four daughters were not, said Jaffe. — Caitlin Keating, PEOPLE.com, "New Jersey Mom Who Survived Car Crash That Killed Husband and Daughters Learns Family's Fate," 9 July 2018 Both husband and wife were properly restrained in the vehicle, police said, but their four daughters were not. — CBS News, "Mother survives car crash that killed husband, 4 daughters," 7 July 2018 But senior Trump administration officials will talk with European diplomats on the sidelines of the meeting about efforts to further restrain Iran. — New York Times, "Roiling Markets, U.S. Insists World Must Stop Buying Iranian Oil," 26 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'restrain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.