restrain

verb

re·​strain ri-ˈstrān 

restrained; restraining; restrains

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

restrainable

ri-ˈstrā-nə-bəl 

adjective

restrainer noun

Synonyms

• bridle
• check
• constrain
• contain
• control
• curb
• govern
• hold
• inhibit
• keep
• measure
• pull in
• regulate
• rein (in)
• rule
• tame

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Shortly after, the school employees restrained him at the end of the hall for about eight minutes, the footage shows. —Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023

Bondage and Discipline: BDSM practice incorporates bondage (tying, binding, or restraining someone) and discipline (punishing a submissive partner). —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 7 Sep. 2023

After closing the garage door, Varela restrained Kaleem and Aguilar shot him, prosecutors said. —Christina Coulter, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2023

Hiring has slowed for months against the headwinds of higher interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve to restrain inflation. —Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2023

Other pernicious contracts between businesses similarly restrain worker mobility and suppress pay. —Sandeep Vaheesan, The New Republic, 29 Aug. 2023

In 2022, the most recent year for which data is available, Northwest SOIL reported isolating students 446 times and restraining students 475 times on its three campuses, which, as of June of that year, served 119 students. —Mike Reicher, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2023

Physically restraining you is serious, too, and unacceptable even in jest. —Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2023

Though consumer spending drives most of the U.S. economy, the Fed is seeking to slow it down as a way to restrain inflation. —Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English restraynen, from Anglo-French restreindre, from Latin restringere to restrain, restrict, from re- + stringere to bind tight — more at strain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

restrain

verb

re·​strain ri-ˈstrān 

1

a

: to prevent from doing something

b

: to keep back : curb

restrain one's anger

c

: to limit or keep under control

restrain trade

2

: to take away liberty

especially : to place under arrest or restraint

restrainable

-ˈstrā-nə-bəl 

adjective

restrainer noun

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