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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restraint
For minimalist interior designers, there’s beauty in simplicity and restraint.
—
Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025
The board drew comparison to the president’s first term, explaining that Chinese President Xi Jinping retaliated with some restraint and later sent a delegation to negotiate.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025
And for some white audiences, those who fear potential trend-setters and those who want to place restraints on who can succeed and in which ways, that may be concerning, even if on a subconscious level.
—Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
The holding was manifestly correct, but the dicta may be equally important in counseling greater restraint on both sides.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2025
The board drew comparison to the president’s first term, explaining that Chinese President Xi Jinping retaliated with some restraint and later sent a delegation to negotiate.
—Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025
And for some white audiences, those who fear potential trend-setters and those who want to place restraints on who can succeed and in which ways, that may be concerning, even if on a subconscious level.
—Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025
The holding was manifestly correct, but the dicta may be equally important in counseling greater restraint on both sides.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraint
Noun
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This military-style education extended to other forms of discipline, too.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
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Russell finished fifth in the discipline during the league’s inaugural event in Kingston, later finishing sixth overall in her category.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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But the neighbor lost his nerve and instead dumped the boy with a cop.—
Mara Bovsun,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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The band has been carefully considering how to stage the concert due to Osbourne’s physical limitations.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2025
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Working around the limitations of the location, Lee created that haunting impression with a combination of dialogue, music, and camera work.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraint. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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