rein 1 of 2

1
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

rein

2 of 2

verb

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
Noun
Instead of reining him in, Robinson is expected to give his quarterback the freedom to attack deep and test defenses consistently. Cecil Merkerson Iii, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025 The industry-friendly draft of a report from a commission run by Kennedy shows just how much the White House has been able to rein him in. Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
For Pittsburgh, acquiring Richardson would be a high‑upside swing on a young quarterback with elite potential who can sit behind a future Hall of Famer (Rodgers) for at least one year before he's given the reins. Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 Ed took over the reins of the football team following the 2017 season and the duo won a state championship the following year. Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rein
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rein
Noun
  • Burton spent most of her career — 26 years — at McQueen, ultimately taking the creative helm of the house, somewhat reluctantly, in the wake of the designer’s suicide in 2010.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Under Seminci director José Luis Cienfuegos, who took over the helm in 2023, the festival’s industrial strategy has become sharper and more collaborative.
    Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Free of the restrictions of their previous IP work with franchises like Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, AdHoc can begin showing audiences what their house style and sensibilities look like.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The Pentagon said that more than 60 correspondents signed on to its new restrictions, with major news outlets as well as conservative sources like Newsmax and The Washington Times shunning the new policy.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Despite the star power in the stands, the Dodgers lost 6-1, meaning the Blue Jays tied the series.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Both outcomes might also blunt the risk of further great-power escalation in this deeply chaotic geopolitical time.
    Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Police said officers fired bean bag rounds to restrain Headrick.
    Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Emerson was restrained by flight attendants and moved to the back of the plane, preventing any further attempts to sabotage the aircraft, per authorities.
    Maddie Garfinkle, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Walls and floors are white, while flashes of color and texture appear in the form of chubby bouclé sofas and chairs or swirling rugs covered in Burberry’s signature shade of deep blue.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Co-chairs of the 2025 event include The Daily Beast’s chief content and creative officer Joanna Coles and Interpublic Group’s executive vp, chief client officer and chief business officer Jacki Kelley.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • China’s newest aircraft carrier may only be able to conduct air operations at about 60% the rate of a 50-year-old US Navy carrier, two former US carrier officers say, a substantial combat limitation for a vessel meant to revolutionize Beijing’s fleet.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The growing demand for sustainable transport, combined with the limitations of public infrastructure, has made personal electric vehicles—particularly e-scooters—a common choice for modern commuters.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The two sides also discussed American agricultural exports to China and Beijing’s role in helping curb the fentanyl trade.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Though the administration insists its operations are aimed at curbing drug trafficking, regional analysts suggest a broader strategic message.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Supply chain bottlenecks that have long constrained an expansion of electricity grids are showing signs of easing, but plenty of other mammoth challenges remain, an executive at a major power infrastructure firm told Semafor.
    Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2025
  • While effective in salvoes, limited quantities and launcher availability could constrain Ukraine’s operational use.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rein.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rein. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rein

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!