Synonyms of restraining

restraining

verb

present participle of restrain

1

as in controlling

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

• controlling
• regulating
• curbing
• containing
• keeping
• suppressing
• measuring
• constraining
• inhibiting
• stifling
• taming
• holding
• governing
• ruling
• checking
• stopping
• bridling
• pulling in
• interrupting
• repressing
• swallowing
• strangling
• smothering
• impeding
• hindering
• reining (in)
• blocking
• obstructing
• arresting
• hampering
• choking (back)
• silencing
• holding back
• muffling
• sinking
• bottling (up)
• squelching
• mincing
• handcuffing
• pocketing
• muzzling
• gagging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• losing
• loosening
• liberating
• expressing
• venting
• unleashing
• taking out
• loosing
• airing

2

as in arresting

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

• arresting
• seizing
• grabbing
• apprehending
• detaining
• pinching
• nailing
• committing
• capturing
• snatching
• nicking
• running in
• pulling in
• busting
• jailing
• nabbing
• collaring
• trapping
• imprisoning
• confining
• catching
• picking up
• incarcerating
• snaring
• hooking
• handcuffing
• holding
• grappling
• binding
• bagging
• shackling
• snapping (up)
• landing
• locking (up)
• getting
• fettering
• remanding
• interning
• enchaining
• jugging
• immuring
• trammeling
• manacling
• rearresting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharging
• freeing
• releasing
• loosening
• springing
• liberating
• emancipating
• loosing
• unbinding
• unchaining

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of restraining

But the legislation contains no provision restraining increases in state and institutional funding for athletics, said Amy Privette Perko, CEO of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. — David A. Lieb, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and even Singapore have rallied behind Ukraine, seeing a Russian defeat as essential for restraining Chinese ambition. — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Current state policy makes clear that schools should only consider physically restraining a student or confining them to a room away from others in emergency situations where a student is at risk of harming themselves or others. — CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

One of the topics raised by Cullen is that Championship clubs need to find ways to boost income alongside restraining costs. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

On the other side of the car, another ICE agent was restraining Salgado against the ground, handcuffing him. — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026

According to a recall notice posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an issue in the second row could prevent occupants from adequately restraining themselves inside the vehicle, raising the risk of injury during a collision. — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Jor’Dell Richardson was lying face up on the ground with two officers restraining at least one of his hands when another officer shot him in the stomach. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 3 Aug. 2026

True peace requires restraining both nuclear and conventional arsenals. — William Hartung, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026