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

Some food employees working with open food are wearing visors which are not effectively restraining their hair. — Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Raising retirement ages and restraining entitlement growth make the debt more manageable. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2026

Safety experts recommend restraining animals in the car, yet many owners let their furry friends ride loose. — Nina Elder, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Multiple women told police that Weinberg lured them to his home, almost always under the guise of a photo shoot, before restraining and assaulting them. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Experts add that states have penalties, including hefty fines and citations, for inappropriately (or not) restraining a child. — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 23 Sep. 2026

The incident Sunday involved the top fashion executive forcibly restraining two employees of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and putting his hands over their mouths at the runway show for Cos, a brand owned by H&M. — CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Shortages of skilled labor are restraining production in defense firms and across the economy, compounded by the emigration of several hundred thousand mostly younger people due to fears of conscription and political repression. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

There is no justification for physically restraining another person. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026