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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restraining
The leather straps for restraining limbs are still there on opposite ends underneath stacks of paper.
—
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
Darcy said that when a person is resisting officers, their knowledge of the person having pre-existing medical conditions is not enough to prevent them from restraining someone combative.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025
And still other judges, like Campbell, see the rules as unlawfully restraining a labor market in certain instances.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
If consumers or businesses perceive stablecoins as more practical, the state may face the awkward task of promoting one digital form of the yuan while restraining another.
—Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
First, both Washington and Beijing now have proven weapons that are restraining the aggressive instincts of the other side.
—Scott Kennedy, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
The dual action – calming runaway inflammation while restraining tumor growth – makes N50 F2 a strong candidate for new anti-cancer therapies.
—New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2025
California Department of Education officials found that school staff used unreasonable and unnecessary force in restraining Max.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2025
After restraining Neely that day, Penny remained on scene when police arrived and later explained his actions to several NYPD officers.
—Eric Levenson, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
Darcy said that when a person is resisting officers, their knowledge of the person having pre-existing medical conditions is not enough to prevent them from restraining someone combative.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025
And still other judges, like Campbell, see the rules as unlawfully restraining a labor market in certain instances.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
If consumers or businesses perceive stablecoins as more practical, the state may face the awkward task of promoting one digital form of the yuan while restraining another.
—Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
First, both Washington and Beijing now have proven weapons that are restraining the aggressive instincts of the other side.
—Scott Kennedy, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
The dual action – calming runaway inflammation while restraining tumor growth – makes N50 F2 a strong candidate for new anti-cancer therapies.
—New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2025
California Department of Education officials found that school staff used unreasonable and unnecessary force in restraining Max.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2025
After restraining Neely that day, Penny remained on scene when police arrived and later explained his actions to several NYPD officers.
—Eric Levenson, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraining
Verb
-
Dutch Bros 'controlling this corner,' Uncle Bill's says Dutch Bros was created in 1992 in Grants Pass, Oregon, by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Return slowly on an inhale, controlling the resistance.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The video concludes with the music, blending heritage and innovation into one visually arresting finale.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
-
When the photographer Mary Ellen Mark arrived in New York City, in 1966, one of her strategies for finding arresting images was to attend parades and other large gatherings, seeking out subjects not in the main flow of the action but on the periphery.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Letizia says his dispensary in Menomonee Falls supports regulating hemp, including requiring testing products and setting a statewide age restriction.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The heat exchanger is expected to be critical in regulating the substantial heat produced by hydrogen fuel cells, ensuring safety and efficiency in flight operations.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The American withdrawal from Iraq in 2011 created the vacuum into which Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi marched, declaring a caliphate and seizing territory the size of Britain.—
Aviva Klompas,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The ultra-orthodox group, with their leader Eretz Zakay, had a long history of illegally seizing Palestinian property across Jerusalem.—
Ryan Byrnes,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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China's official gauge for manufacturing activity showed a smaller-than-expected contraction in September as Beijing intensified its efforts aimed at curbing industrial overcapacity amid sluggish domestic demand and global trade disruptions.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Some developers will even build their own parallel roads, curbing costs for ITD, Wald said.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Securing the Shield ensures the top seed for Philly and home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs for a team that has quietly gone about a consistent season without grabbing much in the way of attention.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Without strangers lunging at her and grabbing her forearm.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, there's a significant difference between containing and controlling a wildfire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Some content containing masculinity messaging seemed to be neutral—neither harmful nor beneficial—while other content was overtly problematic.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The swift police response and use of video surveillance technology proved crucial in identifying and apprehending the shooter.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
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But also on board the ship that night is this detective who is charged with apprehending Providence.—
Olivia Petty,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraining. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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