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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Here at last were the details of Cimino’s outsize ego and UA’s futile attempts to restrain it. —Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Yet the Supreme Court is weighing whether or not to uphold a federal law prohibiting people under domestic violence restraining orders from having guns. —Sarah Shannon, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024

The February shooting has sparked fury from gun control advocates who point to the state’s laws surrounding firearms which are among the loosest in the country and severely restrain local municipalities from setting their own gun laws. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024

Prosecutors said that the man was forced to unlock his bank accounts and was then restrained with belts. —USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024

The announcement adds to a string of moves by the Biden administration to embrace and restrain AI. —Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 28 Mar. 2024

But barring such a step, the inability of the United States and European countries to restrain Israel has already had a tangible effect on their world standing. —Joost Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024

One of the bill's provisions allowed growers to get restraining orders to prohibit farm workers from striking during harvest periods. —Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024

As a sign of respect for his former teammates, Morgan restrained himself to a very muted celebration after the first goal. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2024

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