restrained 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈstrānd How to pronounce restrained (audio)
Definition of restrainednext
as in muted
not excessively showy a restrained but elegant black purse

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

restrained

2 of 2

verb

past tense of restrain
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

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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

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of restrained
Adjective
Constructed in a restrained neoclassical style, Clarence House was intended to be more comfortable and manageable than many of the grand royal palaces of the era. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026 The joyous if relatively restrained gathering was the culmination of the riotous nationwide celebrations that had broken out on the evening of April 12, when the results of the parliamentary elections came in. — Gordon F. Sander, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026
Verb
Incidents in recent weeks include a man who tried to open an exit door of a Frontier Airlines plane before being restrained by a passenger who was a jiu-jitsu instructor. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 Three women were restrained, arrested, and held for nearly 20 hours in the Baltimore City Detention Center, the lawsuit alleges. — Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for restrained
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrained
  1. muted
  2. controlled
  3. arrested
  4. subdued
  5. regulated
  6. seized
  7. quiet
  8. contained
Adjective
  • Even though Clinton’s remarks Saturday received muted response on cable news due to the heatwave and Trump’s excesses, online the former President deftly tapped into the shifts among Democrats for a more combative approach to curb MAGA.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 July 2026
  • Her bronzed makeup look consisted of taupe eyeshadow, black eyeliner, rosy cheeks, and a muted matte lip.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 3 July 2026
Definition of muted
Verb
  • SambaNova has said that on-premises inference can mean faster, more secure AI as it's controlled by the company using it rather than a third-party cloud provider or AI lab.
    — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 8 July 2026
  • The exoskeleton is controlled using electromyography (EMG), which measures the tiny electrical signals generated by muscles in the forearm.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026
Definition of controlled
Verb
  • There was briefly some concern earlier this year that Chestnut wouldn’t be able to participate in the 2026 competition after he was arrested for allegedly slapping a man in an Indiana bar.
    — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • Authorities have arrested more than a half dozen people related in relation to Reflecting Pool damage, including former Olympian David Hearn, who was indicted last week on a felony of property destruction.
    — Steve Peoples, Fortune, 5 July 2026
Definition of arrested
Adjective
  • When asked to run similar projections while modeling for factors such as return variability, family income and investor behavior, Morningstar showcases a more subdued picture of financial health for account holders at the same intervals.
    — Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 3 July 2026
  • This look leans more subdued and boho with its all-black layers and accessories, but feel free to experiment with contrasting tones and more color for a bolder result.
    — Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Definition of subdued
Verb
  • Oil can be produced, taxed, regulated, and wound down on a schedule, without being sold to a saver as a contribution to the energy transition.
    — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Currently, the only product that is regulated federally with date labels is infant formula.
    — Olga R. Rodriguez, Fortune, 2 July 2026
Definition of regulated
Verb
  • Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who voted against the proposal in mid-June, voiced fears that the list of noncitizen voters would immediately be seized by federal immigration authorities.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, Russia’s military on Saturday claimed to have seized the city of Kostiantynivka, a key defensive hub in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.
    — Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Definition of seized
Adjective
  • What was once a quiet corner of the terminal – your reward for loyalty or a hefty annual fee – has turned into a cafeteria for the masses.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Rather than succumb to the misery of its subject matter, Union County is about the quiet, tedious, and remarkable work that is getting and staying sober — the final product a testament to all that can be achieved.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Definition of quiet
Verb
  • Flames raced through rows of vehicles at a Rancho Cordova salvage yard Friday evening, engulfing between 50 and 100 vehicles before more than 70 firefighters contained the blaze and kept it from spreading to neighboring businesses.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
  • Last July, the Reno Police Department in Nevada said in a news release that a truck shipment managed by Ceva Logistics that contained about $15 million in semiconductors and Apple products was stolen.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Definition of contained

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restrained
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Cite this Entry

“Restrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrained. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of restrained for Spanish Speakers

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