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
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
Trotter also pays tribute to the creative path taken by Laura Braggion, Bottega Veneta’s first female creative lead, whose 20-year tenure from the 1980s helped shape the legacy of the house defined by craft, innovation, restraint and stealth power.
—
Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
The designs leaned young — the opening look was a leather bra top with chain detailing that hung down the front, paired with Bermuda shorts, an open coat and knee-high boots — but, overall, the quiet confidence of Vanhee-Cybulski’s shows offers a reminder that there is strength in restraint.
—Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Tobias Lindholm is one of the world’s greatest writer/directors and has the depth, restraint, integrity, clarity and power to honor this story.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
That would mean the union could initiate antitrust litigation against the WNBA, its teams, the salary cap, free agency restrictions, the draft and numerous other restraints.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
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Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
The designs leaned young — the opening look was a leather bra top with chain detailing that hung down the front, paired with Bermuda shorts, an open coat and knee-high boots — but, overall, the quiet confidence of Vanhee-Cybulski’s shows offers a reminder that there is strength in restraint.
—Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Tobias Lindholm is one of the world’s greatest writer/directors and has the depth, restraint, integrity, clarity and power to honor this story.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
That would mean the union could initiate antitrust litigation against the WNBA, its teams, the salary cap, free agency restrictions, the draft and numerous other restraints.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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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