as in muted
not excessively showy
a restrained but elegant black purse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of restrained
Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Forced to make a restrained but irreversible decision, the film observes a man whose inner truth remains elusive, caught between devotion, dignity and loss.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
Sturdivant’s grandfather restrained him and returned him to Sturdivant’s house, the complaint says.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restrained
Adjective
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a nurse with the Veterans Administration, was tackled by ICE agents, disarmed of his weapon, and restrained.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Forced to make a restrained but irreversible decision, the film observes a man whose inner truth remains elusive, caught between devotion, dignity and loss.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Sturdivant did actually set out for a neighbor’s house armed with a hammer and a knife but was restrained by his grandfather, the affidavit says.
—Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
Sturdivant’s grandfather restrained him and returned him to Sturdivant’s house, the complaint says.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restrained
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrained
Adjective
-
While the would-be leaders of France and Germany issued sharp rebukes to Trump, the opposition in central and eastern Europe was more muted.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Henson’s makeup and hair complemented the theatricality of her attire, with her hair tossed in a high bun and the actress’ makeup featuring dramatic eyes and a muted lip.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In June 2025, EOS demonstrated the destruction of a tank using a Rodeur 330 fitted with an inert warhead, controlled via FPV.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Unlike autonomous cars which operate on public roads and uncontrolled environments, agriculture occurs on private land where everything is more controlled, which minimizes regulatory hurdles and potential for accidents.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The suspect, identified by authorities as a 17-year-old San Jose boy, was arrested on suspicion of murder Tuesday in Santa Clara, San Jose police Officer Tanya Hernandez said in a news release.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The verdict capped a yearslong effort to hold Chasing Horse accountable after he was first arrested and indicted in 2023, sending what authorities described as shock waves through the area.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
More subdued is the second iteration, which features a white base with cream overlays.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
For the best mood-boosting environment, Wadden suggests balancing the brighter color with more subdued neutrals.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a kind of social contract under which utilities operate essentially as monopolies to provide a public service and in exchange are regulated.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The devices measure pollutants regulated by the EPA, including nitrogen oxides, ozone and particulate matter from sources like gas turbines, factories and heavy traffic.—
Jack Armstrong,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In lieu of complicated controls and systems, these games seized on the high-energy gameplay of intense dogfighting moments, boiling it down into arcadey combat that was more accessible to the masses.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Below are five actions that may seem quiet but can significantly increase your chances of promotion in the first quarter, along with how to put them into practice.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The cold, quiet pattern continues Tuesday in Minnesota.—
Joseph Dames,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The warehouse contained specialized food intended for young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women who were malnourished.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The researchers presented toddlers with elaborate puzzle contraptions that contained prizes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrained. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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