reining (in)

verb

present participle of rein (in)
as in containing
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) try to rein in your spending, so you have some money left for saving

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reining (in)
  1. containing
  2. controlling
  3. regulating
  4. curbing
  5. keeping
  6. pulling in
  7. restraining
Verb
  • Semax, a peptide containing seven amino acids, has been studied for its potential effects on the central nervous system.
    — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • In her hand is an unopened envelope from a DNA testing company, containing the answer to whether Max was ever really her father.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
Definition of containing
Verb
  • Haiti today is, in many respects, in worse condition, with armed gangs controlling large areas, institutions barely functioning and millions displaced.
    — Ray Watford, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The system also avoided hazardous conditions while controlling the spacecraft’s orientation, showing how autonomous software could reduce dependence on ground commands during military and scientific missions.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of controlling
Verb
  • Colorado applies a similar legislative approach to employment eligibility verification, not by changing the underlying federal obligation, but by regulating one aspect of how employers carry it out.
    — Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Another option that employers might consider is introducing natural heat-regulating measures such as green walls and roofs, trees, or ponds.
    — Oliver Balch, Fortune, 27 July 2026
Definition of regulating
Verb
  • Fauci’s frustration centered on DeSantis for not following federal government guidance and recommendations in curbing the surge of the virus.
    — David Smiley, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • In September 2025, Nepal's government banned 26 popular social media platforms, alleging the companies had failed to comply with new regulations aimed at curbing misinformation and online hate speech.
    — Šumit Ganguly, NPR, 27 July 2026
Definition of curbing
Verb
  • Geared toward longer stays and keeping road warriors happy, the hotel offers a grab-and-go pantry, an evening happy hour with wine, beer, and light bites, and a buffet breakfast.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 July 2026
  • In addition, Begnaud spent a number of years creating charcuterie boards for friends and family while keeping notes about how to turn these creations into a business someday.
    — Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of keeping
Verb
  • Even as retailers anticipate pulling in more tourist traffic as a result of the development, lung experts cite health concerns connected to the move.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
  • Joy Behar shocked The View Wednesday morning upon pulling in married interview guest Anson Mount for a long kiss on the lips live on the air.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
Definition of pulling in
Verb
  • In the Character Wheel, the eleven dimensions are integrated, each activating and restraining the others.
    — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The videos showed multiple players restraining the 15-year-old victim while another of the juvenile suspects poked him with a broomstick.
    — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 29 July 2026
Definition of restraining
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.

Browse Nearby Words

reining
reining (in)
reinitiate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reining (in).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reining%20%28in%29. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of mitigate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All