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

His mom opens the dance with him before turning the reins over to his pro partner for a tribute that left the judges both touched and impressed. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026

Justin Barocas, a founder of the Anomaly agency, is taking up the reins as CEO, while Kamen will move to an executive-chairman role and Scherma will maintain his position as president. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

Some advocate abolishing the agency, while others offer visions for how to rein it in and reform it. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Annual interest expenses on the debt are already at $1 trillion, while the budget deficit is on pace to reach $2 trillion this year, with no sign of any political willingness to rein them in. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing rein

• rein (in)