1
as in discipline
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
it will take a great deal of restraint to keep from telling her how ugly that dress is
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
civil libertarians contend that the new laws place too many restraints on our constitutionally guaranteed rights
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in temperance
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
he shows very little restraint or tact when expressing his opinions about others
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of restraint
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for restraint from both countries.
—
Diaa Hadid, NPR, 7 May 2025
Whether the source of sweetness was molasses, maple syrup, cane sugar, or something else, our tasters wanted restraint in this area and balance through savoriness and acidity.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 May 2025
Tensions have ramped up despite the United States and China – two major global players – urging restraint.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 5 May 2025
Does not such restraint signify a lack of responsibility?
—Alexander Soifer, Scientific American, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Diaa Hadid, NPR, 7 May 2025
Whether the source of sweetness was molasses, maple syrup, cane sugar, or something else, our tasters wanted restraint in this area and balance through savoriness and acidity.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 May 2025
Tensions have ramped up despite the United States and China – two major global players – urging restraint.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 5 May 2025
Does not such restraint signify a lack of responsibility?
—Alexander Soifer, Scientific American, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraint
Noun
-
This military-style education extended to other forms of discipline, too.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
-
Each event features athletes competing in two races in one of six disciplines, broken up by gender and distance.—
Zack Pierce,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
This could involve direct negotiations with nations like the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia rather than applying broad regional restrictions.—
Benj Edwards,
ArsTechnica,
8 May 2025
-
In order to receive the government payments, owners need to adhere to certain restrictions, inspections and paperwork.—
Jonathan Shorman,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
Franklin’s virtues are: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility.—
Michael Maguire,
Boston Herald,
19 Aug. 2024
-
Supporters aligned with the temperance movement used Weston’s walks to advance their agenda—since Weston was a teetotaler, sponsors and cheerleaders trumpeted his feats as evidence that sobriety was healthy.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
That leaves ‘financial repression’ - forcing US citizens or their agents (pension funds, insurance companies, banks) to hold US Treasuries.—
Kevin Coldiron,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
-
But mild questioning of the system in art, books, religion and online still draws police repression.—
Damien Cave,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The report shows that micro-shifting is most popular in the hospitality and service industries where there is less regulatory constraint, compared to sectors like healthcare.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
-
The economic constraints imposed by segregation are what, in the end, expose the twins and their customers to the supernatural horror Remmick represents.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
But the neighbor lost his nerve and instead dumped the boy with a cop.—
Mara Bovsun,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2025
-
As all 2,161 of their fans entered Fratton Park, the nerves were palpable — but there was an air of confidence.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
Just in time for the full moon in Libra on April 12, Luna will illuminate your 12th house of secrets, inhibitions and unconscious patterns, urging you to let go of patterns that no longer serve you.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
His research team, in partnership with associate professor Sakiko Okumoto at Texas A&M University, hopes to study plant mechanisms in sorghum and capitalize on its innate ability to inhibit nitrogen loss, a process known as biological nitrification inhibition (BNI).—
Robin Roenker,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Under the draft bill, the limitations would be made permanent.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
-
Like Proton Drive, Proton Calendar and Proton Pass are available to free users, but with limitations.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraint. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share