restrained

1 of 2

adjective

re·​strained ri-ˈstrānd 

: marked by restraint : not excessive or extravagant

restrainedly

ri-ˈstrā-nəd-lē 

adverb

restrained

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of restrain

Synonyms of restrained

Adjective

• muted
• subdued
• quiet
• repressed
• understated
• conservative

Examples of restrained in a Sentence

Adjective

She was admired for her restrained behavior.

a restrained style of architecture

The room was decorated with restrained colors.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The statements were positive but restrained, reflecting the pain inflicted by this saga. — Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026

His restrained demeanor contrasts with Moreno, the brash former car dealer who entered politics as an outsider. — Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Perhaps why the comparatively slim amount of time spent on Borges’ late-in-life political foibles and fascist sympathizing is so uninspired — restrained, workmanlike, intentionally unprovocative, compulsory. — Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Williams was asked by Bennie about playing someone so deep in the closet and delivering such a remarkably restrained performance. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for restrained

• appertained
• ascertained
• entertained
• overstrained
• preordained
• unconstrained
• unexplained
• unrestrained
• abstained
• arraigned
• attained
• bloodstained

Kids Definition

restrained

adjective

re·​strained ri-ˈstrānd 

: marked by restraint : showing careful control

restrainedly

-ˈstrā-nəd-lē 

adverb