restraint

noun

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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 Phrases Containing restraint Learn More About restraint

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 China has urged countries involved in the escalating situation to exercise restraint and to find a diplomatic solution, as Beijing tries to strike a delicate balance between Russia and Ukraine. — Jane Li, Quartz, 23 Feb. 2022 Responding to the situation, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged the authorities to show restraint. — Samuel Goldman, The Week, 11 Feb. 2022 But Andrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England, thinks workers should exercise restraint so policymakers can get the situation under control. — Julia Horowitz, CNN, 4 Feb. 2022 Show more restraint, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has advised Big Tech companies in the wake of Facebook’s scandal deluge. — David Meyer, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2021 More than a dozen civil society groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, issued a letter Wednesday urging authorities to show restraint. — BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2021 India's Muslim scholars have been urging people to exercise restraint and adhere to health protocols. — Mariam Fam, ajc, 20 July 2021 India’s Muslim scholars have been urging people to exercise restraint and adhere to health protocols. — Mariam Fam And Amr Nabil, chicagotribune.com, 20 July 2021 Yet even before the Germans started their synod last year, Pope Francis was calling on them to show restraint. — Francis X. Rocca, WSJ, 16 July 2021 See More

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.