restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt 
1
a
: 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
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
History shows that control and restraint are essential when managing systems with the potential to destabilize rather than improve.
—
Amir Hayeri, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
And why are people still giving time to a guy who trumpets misogyny and anti-semitism, denies the Holocaust, pals around with white nationalist dweebs, including Donald Trump, and recently made Alex Jones look like a paragon of reason and restraint?
—Spin Team, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024
In 2018, Villaraigosa ran a campaign that hewed toward the middle, focusing on equal access to education, fiscal restraint and his strong record as mayor on supporting law enforcement and protecting the environment.
—Mackenzie Mays, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
The real test, however, will not arise in the immediate weeks or months but in the years to come, when complacency sets in, and restraint will be attractive.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for restraint 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Amir Hayeri, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
And why are people still giving time to a guy who trumpets misogyny and anti-semitism, denies the Holocaust, pals around with white nationalist dweebs, including Donald Trump, and recently made Alex Jones look like a paragon of reason and restraint?
—Spin Team, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024
In 2018, Villaraigosa ran a campaign that hewed toward the middle, focusing on equal access to education, fiscal restraint and his strong record as mayor on supporting law enforcement and protecting the environment.
—Mackenzie Mays, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
The real test, however, will not arise in the immediate weeks or months but in the years to come, when complacency sets in, and restraint will be attractive.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for restraint
Dictionary Entries Near restraint
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
1
: the act of restraining : the state of being restrained
held in restraint
2
: a restraining force or influence
3
: control over one's behavior
act with restraint
Medical Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
: a device that restricts movement
restraints such as straitjackets for violent patients
Legal Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
1
a
: an act or fact of restraining see also prior restraint
b
: the state of being restrained
2
a
: a means of restraining
b
: a device that restricts movement (as of prisoners or violent psychiatric patients)
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