restrained

adjective

re·​strained ri-ˈstrānd How to pronounce restrained (audio)
: marked by restraint : not excessive or extravagant
restrainedly adverb

Example Sentences

She was admired for her restrained behavior. a restrained style of architecture The room was decorated with restrained colors.
Recent Examples on the Web Musk spoke with a calm and restrained demeanor that stood in contrast to his oftentimes snarky online persona, which has exasperated and alienated many of the progressive-minded consumers who once viewed him as their champion. Andrea Guzman, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2023 Putin had been running a particular kind of dictatorship—a relatively restrained one. Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2023 On private online forums for medical professionals, accounts of bladder issues are common enough that some providers are becoming more restrained in their prescriptions, according to multiple people with access to the websites. Chris Hamby, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2023 In a single room, the application of wood and stone elements displays both a restrained yet lavish design. Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023 Coogler’s camera gives us the feeling of a ride-along, mixed with restrained touches of nostalgia. Carvell Wallace, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2023 Stapleton kept his performance simple, letting his gruff voice convey all of the raw emotion necessary for the national anthem, while his restrained guitar performance offered a further sense of gravitas to the set. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 12 Feb. 2023 But Nino Rota, like Morricone, had a dimension of poetry mixed with invention, and an elegance and restrained voice that is unique and speaks to me a lot. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Feb. 2023 In this narrative-fiction debut, the director Alice Diop understands that a restrained image can be more haunting than a graphic one. Nicole Acheampong, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of restrained was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near restrained

Cite this Entry

“Restrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restrained. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

restrained

adjective
re·​strained ri-ˈstrānd How to pronounce restrained (audio)
: marked by restraint : showing careful control
restrainedly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on restrained

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