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restrain

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of restrain

1 to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)

  • the victim's family members were unable to restrain their emotions upon hearing the verdict
Synonyms of restrain

bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, keep, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), rule, tame
Words Related to restrain

bottle (up), choke (back), hold back, mince, muffle, pocket, repress, sink, smother, squelch, stifle, strangle, suppress, swallow

arrest, interrupt, stop

block, hamper, handcuff, hinder, impede, obstruct

gag, muzzle, silence
Near Antonyms of restrain

liberate, loose, loosen, unleash

air, express, take out, vent
Antonyms of restrain

lose

2 to take or keep under oneʼs control by authority of law

  • the suspect was restrained and taken to an undisclosed location
Synonyms of restrain

apprehend, arrest, bust [slang], collar, nab, nail, nick [British slang], pick up, pinch, pull in, run in, seize
Words Related to restrain

bag, capture, catch, get, grab, grapple, hook, land, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap

commit, confine, detain, hold, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, jug, lock (up)

bind, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel

rearrest

remand
Near Antonyms of restrain

emancipate, free, liberate, loose, loosen, release, spring

unbind, unchain
Antonyms of restrain

discharge

Synonym Discussion of restrain

restrain, check, curb, bridle mean to hold back from or control in doing something. restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.
    • restrained themselves from laughing
check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.
    • trying to check government spending
curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.
    • learn to curb your appetite
bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.
    • bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Learn More about restrain

  1. Dictionary: Definition of restrain Spanish Central: Translation of restrain Nglish: Translation of restrain for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of restrain for Arabic speakers

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