Definition of restrain
transitive verb
1a : to prevent from doing, exhibiting, or expressing something restrained the child from jumpingb : 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
nounExplore M-W
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 of restrain from the Web
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He is accused of head-butting an officer who restrained him and was escorting him out of the building.
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The bill cuts taxes, restrains spending, and — courtesy of the tireless efforts of Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee — modestly deregulates.
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Vanessa Kirby as the impetuous foil to Foy’s restrained monarch feels like a very solid option, with another newcomer, the very popular Chrissy Metz, well-positioned to take up slot number two.
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Her notes say one of the managers told her that Joseph King had been restrained by staff members at the home for 10 minutes before losing consciousness.
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Other workers tackled the shooter and restrained him with zip ties until police arrived.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every child have its own seat and be restrained properly — the same as in a car.
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His 5-year-old sister was not properly restrained in a booster seat that was designed for a child of her age.
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That means putting pressure on Israel to restrain its construction of settlements on occupied lands sought by the Palestinians.
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.
Origin and Etymology of restrain
Middle English restraynen, from Anglo-French restreindre, from Latin restringere to restrain, restrict, from re- + stringere to bind tight — more at strain
Synonym Discussion of restrain
RESTRAIN Defined for English Language Learners
restrain
playDefinition of restrain for English Language Learners
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: to prevent (a person or animal) from doing something
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: to prevent (a person or animal) from moving by using physical force
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: to keep (something) under control
RESTRAIN Defined for Kids
Law Dictionary
restrain
playLegal Definition of restrain
1a : to prevent from doing something — see also restraining order at order 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
Learn More about restrain
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for restrain Spanish Central: Translation of restrain Nglish: Translation of restrain for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of restrain for Arabic speakers
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