restraint

noun

re·straint | \ ri-ˈstrānt

Definition of restraint

1a : an act of restraining : the state of being restrained

b(1) : a means of restraining : a restraining force or influence

(2) : a device that restricts movement a restraint for children riding in cars

2 : a control over the expression of one's emotions or thoughts

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about restraint

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Examples of restraint in a Sentence

Make sure the child safety restraint is in place. The prisoner was placed in restraints. His angry response showed a lack of restraint. The government has acted with restraint in dealing with this crisis.

Recent Examples on the Web

More mountain caribou remain wild on the B.C. side of the border, but there, too, the caribou’s fate rests in the hands of humans, and our capacity for restraint. — Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, "David Moskowitz captures the beauty — and fragility — of the Northwest’s mountain caribou," 11 Feb. 2019 However let’s never lose sight of both the need for fiscal restraint and the need to provide essential services to all Americans. — Phillip Molnar, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Does it matter what political party is in power for the economy?," 8 June 2018 In 2017, the group highlighted the jail's rampant use of solitary confinement for inmates, punitive use of restraints and routine use of force against people with mental illness. — Maxine Bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Advocacy group finds improvements in Multnomah County's downtown jail," 10 May 2018 But perhaps that kind of restraint—there’s that word again—should be seen as impressive. — Elizabeth Holmes, Town & Country, "Anne Hathaway Is Nobody's Punching Bag," 8 Jan. 2019 This museum tells the complicated story of suffering with a plainspoken forthrightness that is especially poignant given the general restraint of Japanese culture. — Mary Louise Schumacher, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "With Kusama Museum and art-filled islands, Japan is a paradise for art nerds," 27 Apr. 2018 What to make of this collapse in spending restraint? — Brian Riedl, National Review, "Republicans Begin a Spending Spree," 9 Feb. 2018 The driver of the minivan was cited for failure to yield at an intersection and failing to secure a child in a child-restraint seat, according to police. — Sarah Freishtat, Aurora Beacon-News, "Driver of minivan cited after Aurora crash involving ambulance sends 10 to hospital," 17 May 2018 Some didn’t get oxygen and blood-sugar checks; injuries weren’t properly treated; they were held in restraints too long; and the building remained a fire hazard. — Washington Post, "AP Exclusive: Washington psychiatric hospital called ‘hell’," 6 July 2018

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