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
Relevance
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 Legislature should focus on lowering costs by delivering permanent property tax relief, restraining state and local spending, cutting red tape that drives up housing and energy costs, and expanding reliable energy production to keep utilities affordable.
—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Hassett also cited rising productivity stemming from artificial intelligence improvements that is restraining businesses' need to hire.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Ultimately, officers decided to take him forcibly, restraining him in something called the WRAP, a device comprising a locking shoulder harness, leg restraints and ankle straps.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The video’s footage amplifies the flagrant dishonesty of the Administration’s statements about the threat Alex Pretti posed to the multiple officers who were physically restraining him before he was killed.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 29 Jan. 2026
Some of the cases filed so far do seem to describe potential assaults on officers, such as a pair of incidents in which two women are alleged to have bitten the fingers of the Border Patrol agents who were restraining them.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Deputies Christian Anderson, Zachary Dalton, Christopher Bearss, Kristin Harris and Miguel Espinoza were involved in restraining Camacho.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Last week, videos ricocheted across social media showing federal immigration agents restraining a man inside a Walmart in Minnesota and detaining individuals at the entrance of a Target.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
Kimberly Cole is accused of forcing her son to eat hot sauce as a punishment and restraining him with zip ties and handcuffs.
—Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 20 Jan. 2026
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Hassett also cited rising productivity stemming from artificial intelligence improvements that is restraining businesses' need to hire.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Ultimately, officers decided to take him forcibly, restraining him in something called the WRAP, a device comprising a locking shoulder harness, leg restraints and ankle straps.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The video’s footage amplifies the flagrant dishonesty of the Administration’s statements about the threat Alex Pretti posed to the multiple officers who were physically restraining him before he was killed.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 29 Jan. 2026
Some of the cases filed so far do seem to describe potential assaults on officers, such as a pair of incidents in which two women are alleged to have bitten the fingers of the Border Patrol agents who were restraining them.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Deputies Christian Anderson, Zachary Dalton, Christopher Bearss, Kristin Harris and Miguel Espinoza were involved in restraining Camacho.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Last week, videos ricocheted across social media showing federal immigration agents restraining a man inside a Walmart in Minnesota and detaining individuals at the entrance of a Target.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
Kimberly Cole is accused of forcing her son to eat hot sauce as a punishment and restraining him with zip ties and handcuffs.
—Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraining
Verb
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In April 2025, Dane announced he had been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells controlling muscles throughout the body.—
Maria Sherman,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
That said, our primary focus for aligning the organization with our long-term goals remains disciplined workforce management, meaning prioritizing voluntary departures while carefully controlling recruitment for replacements and new roles.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On July 17, 2014, Orta took video of then-NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo putting Garner in a fatal chokehold and pulling him to the ground while arresting him for selling loose cigarettes on Staten Island.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
That means questioning, investigating, and in some cases arresting people for civil immigration violations – authority traditionally reserved for federal officers.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The bill wouldn’t legalize the practice or set up an oversight structure regulating it, as the state did with marijuana and Nevada has done with prostitution in several counties.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
17 Feb. 2026
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Additionally, sprouted whole grain bread is significantly higher in blood pressure-regulating minerals, such as magnesium, than bread made with refined white flour.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Federal agents recently descended on Georgia state election offices without warning, seizing equipment, records, and ballots.—
State Rep. Matt Blumenthal,
Hartford Courant,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Williams also said the warrant didn't specify what the agents were supposed to be seizing.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While his remarks were broadly welcomed, European leaders pointed to American actions over the past year — trade pressure, demands to annex European lands, curbing support to Ukraine, to name a few — as having created a permanent rift.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Other possible measures include curbing features such as infinite scrolling, tightening safeguards around the sharing of nude images, and examining restrictions on children’s access to AI chatbots and virtual private networks.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Within a few blocks of the hotel are also many spots worthy of grabbing a tasty bite or a drink—Bamboo Sushi, Radio Room, and Walter French's, to name a few.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
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What’s particularly exciting is how many films are grabbing dates in ’27 and ’28.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In this study, P-free and P-containing glasses and glass ceramics were synthesized and evaluated using various analytical methods to clarify the influence of P addition on the glass structure and state of P after crystallization.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
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The dish gets all of its flavor from a rice mixture containing onions, peppers, tomatoes, and bacon that roasts in the pan alongside the chicken.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Immigration enforcement efforts in Oklahoma also have focused heavily on apprehending commercial truckers driving on interstate highways.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
10 Feb. 2026
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New England Patriots Kyle Williams tries to assist in apprehending a spectator who ran onto the field during the second quarter of Super Bowl LX.—
February 9,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraining. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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