1
as in to regulate
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 & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to arrest
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the suspect was restrained and taken to an undisclosed location
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restrain
Pretti was on his knees, restrained, posing no apparent threat, when he was riddled with bullets.
—
Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Gigliotti still did not comply with officers, the report said, and ended up on the ground, with the officers struggling to restrain him.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
At first, Mensah was permitted to enter the transfer portal, but was restrained from enrolling at another university and joining their football team.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
On Saturday, Pretti, a Veterans Affairs hospital nurse, was shot and killed while restrained by federal agents.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restrain
Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Gigliotti still did not comply with officers, the report said, and ended up on the ground, with the officers struggling to restrain him.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
At first, Mensah was permitted to enter the transfer portal, but was restrained from enrolling at another university and joining their football team.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
On Saturday, Pretti, a Veterans Affairs hospital nurse, was shot and killed while restrained by federal agents.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrain
Verb
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But, like the media companies, both banks are regulated by his Administration, creating an incentive to settle.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
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Breathable, flexible fabrics help regulate temperature and move with your body—especially when layered intentionally.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Dozens of asylum seekers like her, as well as refugees who passed a rigorous, years-long vetting process before being admitted to the United States, have been arrested in Minnesota in recent weeks, immigration lawyers and advocates say.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a statement that officers arrested two people and used pepper balls after protesters did not heed orders to disperse, adding that demonstrators also breached a protest area and spit on officers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit accused Reina of secretly opening and controlling corporate credit cards and using station funds to pay mortgage and property tax bills on his West Sacramento home.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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According to a 2020 study published in Nature Communications, which compared populations from different vent fields, the scaly-foot gastropod’s iron sulfide mineralization is biologically controlled and tied to gene expression.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Revolutionary Guard holds vast business interest across Iran, and sanctions could allow its assets in Europe to be seized.—
SAM McNEIL AND JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
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Gabbard was photographed in Fulton County on the day of the raid as the FBI seized 2020 election ballots.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The current edition, DSM-5-TR, contains more than 300 distinct mental disorders such as schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder and alcohol use disorder.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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Electronic waste from phones, laptops and more contains high concentrations of valuable metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, gold and silver.—
Kristen Edgreen Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The bottom-line mandate for the Bruins on Monday night was to grab two points against the worst team in the Eastern Conference.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
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On January 13, in a win over the Chicago Bulls, Davison played 24 minutes, scoring 9 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists.—
Rahat Huq,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors reject that claim, saying the decision was based on the strength of the evidence, Utah law and a desire to curb speculation and misinformation in a case that immediately drew national and international attention.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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There has long been interest in curbing fees, and bipartisan bills to cap credit card interest rates at 10% have previously been introduced, highlighting potential appetite for the move.—
Tasmin Lockwood,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Multiple people of interest were apprehended by police, and multiple guns were recovered, according to Doyle.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Kazmierczak was quickly apprehended by security, tackled to the ground and escorted out of the building.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrain. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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