as in muted
not excessively showy
a restrained but elegant black purse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in controlled
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrested
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 restrained
Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
While the costumery was slightly more restrained than, say, a Met Gala, at the same time there was a back-to-school festival feel to the outfits.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Rick Jervis, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Detainees were being unloaded from a van when the shooting occurred and were being restrained for transport, per proper procedure, officials said.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restrained
Adjective
Will the new brokers and wielders of power be more prudent and restrained?
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
While the costumery was slightly more restrained than, say, a Met Gala, at the same time there was a back-to-school festival feel to the outfits.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
His arms were restrained to the bed and his feet were shackled together at the ankles.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Detainees were being unloaded from a van when the shooting occurred and were being restrained for transport, per proper procedure, officials said.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restrained
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrained
Adjective
-
The muted colors and suede fabric give it an antique feel, and the berry and pinecone accented greenery at the top looks like it was pulled right off grandma’s tree.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The Vatican offered muted congratulations to Mullally on her appointment.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Whitmer established the universal meals program when Democrats controlled both chambers of the Michigan Legislature.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
As Kering and Valentino restructure, the current ownership of the couture house, controlled by Mayhoola, will not change before 2028 at the earliest — an amendment to their shareholders’ agreement, inked at the time of Kering’s acquisition of a stake in Valentino in 2023.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
He was arrested in November 1957 after the body of local hardware store owner and shopkeeper Bernice Worden, 58, was found hanging from hooks and mutilated in his shed.—
JR Radcliffe,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Ongoing litigation In recent months, more than 400 Venezuelans with TPS have been arrested during ICE check-ins and traffic stops, even though the protections were supposed to be in place before Friday’s ruling.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Economists see an uptick in hiring, though still at a subdued level.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Eventually the euphoria of the moment started giving way to subdued appreciation.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the United States, dietary supplements aren’t regulated like prescription medications, so some may not have the ingredients listed on the label.—
Trang Tran,
Verywell Health,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Despite the sport’s reputation as dangerous, Bridge Day is tightly regulated, with multiple safety inspections.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The man reported to the Sheriff’s Office he had been scammed; the Sheriff’s Office then obtained a warrant and seized $14,120 from the ATM.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The Clermont County Dog Warden seized the animals in May.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Hours after the deal’s announcement, videos posted on social media by correspondents and Unicef spokesperson James Elder in Gaza showed a relatively quiet night sky, a rare occurrence in an enclave that has faced incessant bombardments for just over two years.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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When Venus journeys through Virgo, affection looks like cooking a meal for someone, fixing what’s broken or showing up in quiet, consistent ways.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The Palisades fire was fully contained on January 31, 2025, after burning for about 24 days.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrained. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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