1
as in helm
usually reins plural
the place of leadership or command
after the president resigned, the vice president stepped in and took the reins of the company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restriction
the act or practice of keeping something (as an activity) within certain boundaries
the oversight committee called on the state to keep a much tighter rein on the activities of its contractors
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in power
usually reins plural
the right or means to command or control others
a peaceful transfer of the reins of government has always been a hallmark of our nation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to restrain
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 rein
Emily Bloch, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Since rupturing his Achilles, the Cleveland Browns have drafted three quarterbacks, including Shedeur Sanders, who took the reins to close the 2025 season after Dillon Gabriel, who started after Joe Flacco was traded, suffered a concussion.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Kenya Barris pointed to Eddie Murphy’s 1980s stand-up specials when trying to describe the delicate balance between gleefully explicit comedy and the need to rein it in for a wider audience.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rein
Noun
His mom so graciously gave us—two wide-eyed 11-year-olds—the reins to plan and curate our own menu.
—Emily Bloch, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Since rupturing his Achilles, the Cleveland Browns have drafted three quarterbacks, including Shedeur Sanders, who took the reins to close the 2025 season after Dillon Gabriel, who started after Joe Flacco was traded, suffered a concussion.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
The officials themselves may resist a chair who tries to rein them in.
—Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Kenya Barris pointed to Eddie Murphy’s 1980s stand-up specials when trying to describe the delicate balance between gleefully explicit comedy and the need to rein it in for a wider audience.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rein
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rein
Noun
-
This analysis will use Buffett’s blueprint as a lens through which to evaluate how Berkshire is performing, even while Greg Abel is at the helm.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
John Ternus is succeeding Tim Cook at the helm of Apple.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Suspect Cole Tomas Allen was confined to a padded cell with constant lighting and repeatedly strip-searched; the judge noted the jail houses convicted killers without such restrictions.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
The owner of a long-standing and once heralded senior housing project is seeking to have the age restriction removed, telling town zoning officials such a move is in keeping with shifts in the Connecticut housing market.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Bedside power outlets and ceiling fans add to the convenience.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
The Avs finally got on the board via their second power-play chance on a Nathan MacKinnon goal that had an Artturi Lehkonen vibe to it.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The Adam Lippes design replaced the cleaner line of the tuxedo with a wider skirt and a more formal portrait neckline, keeping the color restrained while giving the silhouette more volume.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
-
Economists have pointed to the data-center buildout as a possible driver of demand for construction labor in 2026, even as homebuilding continues to be restrained by elevated interest rates.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
One of the commission’s co-chairs, the North Carolina incumbent Representative Valerie Foushee, instead received ad-spending from the Public First side of the aisle.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Sitting on a worn wooden chair in the garden on a cool Tuesday afternoon, Chambers, 43, a professional glass and metalsmith, reflected on his antiquated strain of craftsmanship.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
While other states have debated — and, in Maryland’s case, passed — limitations on price surveillance, Colorado’s bill would be the strongest in the country, said Lee Hepner, a senior legal counsel for the American Economic Liberties Project.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
7 May 2026
-
Saar’s leather pieces, featured prominently throughout the show, are another example of how in her hands, everyday objects extend beyond any limitations, feeling more like collage than anything else.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the rest of the NBA is widely expected to be more competitive next season — from the bottom tier, where anti-tanking regulations and a weaker draft class should curb teams’ intentional losing, to the upper echelons, where Oklahoma City and San Antonio stand tall.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
-
Perfect Pair was founded by a University of Michigan student in 2020 to curb social isolation during the pandemic.—
Meredith Bruckner,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Traditional flow batteries use metals like vanadium, which are expensive and supply-constrained.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
6 May 2026
-
If access to education becomes more constrained at the same time, talent is more mobile than ever; the state risks losing both students and long-term economic contributors.—
Lola W. Brabham,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rein.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rein. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
