Synonyms of rein

rein 1 of 2

noun

ˈrān 

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

• helm
• chair
• presidency
• seat
• head
• lead
• headship
• driver's seat
• governorship
• throne
• forefront
• sway
• directorship
• dictatorship
• dominance
• chieftainship
• dominion
• top
• mastery
• vanguard
• upper hand
• generalship
• commandership
• chairmanship
• kingship
• jurisdiction
• superintendency
• mastership
• sovereignty
• premiership
• height
• deanship
• pinnacle
• captainship
• presidentship
• eminence
• pedestal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ranks

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

• restriction
• limitation
• confinement
• constraint
• restraint
• stint
• circumscription
• isolation
• segregation
• containment

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

• power
• reign
• control
• sway
• arm
• dominion
• authority
• influence
• grip
• mastery
• clutch
• command
• hold
• death grip
• leverage
• pull
• management
• direction
• voice
• jurisdiction
• privilege
• clout
• dominance
• right
• prerogative
• weight
• importance
• predominance
• supremacy
• sovereignty
• moment
• imperium
• eminence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impotence
• powerlessness
• weakness
• helplessness
• impotency

rein

2 of 2

verb

as in to restrain

Related Words

• restrain
• curb
• constrain
• hinder
• impede
• stymie
• check
• balk
• interfere (with)
• hamper
• hobble
• cramp
• inhibit
• brake
• fetter
• tie up
• tie
• obstruct
• shackle
• encumber
• bind
• tether
• hold back
• embarrass
• handcuff
• handicap
• clog
• retard
• retain
• hog-tie
• delay
• leash
• short-circuit
• halter
• chain
• arrest
• trammel
• thwart
• stifle
• manacle
• block
• blockade
• hold up
• barricade
• bog (down)
• mire
• strangle
• smother
• foil
• choke
• derail
• disrupt
• frustrate
• suffocate
• muzzle
• sabotage
• repress
• stump
• roadblock
• baffle
• suppress

Dissimilar Words

• help
• assist
• facilitate
• aid
• open
• liberate
• clear
• make way
• free
• release
• loosen
• encourage
• promote
• unplug
• unclog
• untie
• unstop
• smooth
• further

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rein

Noun

At 50, Ternus is the same age as ​Cook when ⁠he took over the reins as CEO from co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

There were three rookie quarterbacks starting the opener in three of the previous five seasons as teams have become quicker to turn over the reins as the differences between the college and pro games have lessened. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Verb

The donkey was on the run alongside a runaway horse in the coastal town, and people tried to rein Freddy in and bring him under control, the Cuxhaven Police Department said, per AP. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

If the boom continues, inflation could continue to rise, frustrating central bankers’ efforts to rein it in. — Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing rein

• rein (in)