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
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
Penny, who is white, has been both criticized as a violent vigilante and lauded as a hero for restraining Neely, a black man.
—Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Dec. 2024
Cohen, who served during the Clinton administration, said that Biden does not want to appear to be restraining Netanyahu, but with the price of oil already high, striking Iran oil refineries is a risk.
—Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024
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
Penny, who is white, has been both criticized as a violent vigilante and lauded as a hero for restraining Neely, a black man.
—Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Dec. 2024
Cohen, who served during the Clinton administration, said that Biden does not want to appear to be restraining Netanyahu, but with the price of oil already high, striking Iran oil refineries is a risk.
—Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraining
Verb
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Part of her had always felt an aching imposter syndrome and a difficulty controlling her emotions.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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These are essential for controlling the whip-like motion that propels sperm forward.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Joined later by singer Sarah Cracknell, Saint Etienne crafted catchy and arresting indie alternative dance-pop music that, over time, has incorporated other genres such as folktronica, acid house, ‘60s European pop and ambient.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Federal and immigration agents conducted a massive sweep on the plant in Ellabell, Georgia, arresting 475 people as part of an investigation into allegations of unlawful employment practices.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Much of Emery’s strategy is about organisation and regulating the game’s tempo.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing rolling back what's known as the endangerment finding, the basis for rules regulating climate pollution, including from coal and gas-fired power plants, cars and trucks, and methane from the oil and gas industry.—
Julia Simon,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Despite the slowdown in Europe’s soft denim sales, Turkish mill Isko is seizing new growth opportunities across Asia.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
9 Sep. 2025
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This one was about seizing one of the sweetest victories of his legendary career … whether the old quarterback wanted to admit it or not.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Marquette University launched a new police unit focused on curbing reckless driving around campus just a few months before two student-athletes died in a crash about a mile from campus.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Stop & Shop lowered its prices on thousands of items in late August, in a separate initiative, but a company representative told the Herald that curbing shoplifting remained on its radar.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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More than a month after his death, Ozzy Osbourne’s music has largely slipped away from the Billboard charts following the headline-grabbing news that one of rock’s founding fathers had passed away.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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SpaceX was also famously involved in funding and operating the headline-grabbing Polaris Dawn crewed commercial mission in September 2024.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In February, a fire destroyed a South Korean budget carrier Air Busan plane, which subsequently prohibited carry-on luggage containing portable chargers from being stored in overhead bins.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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On DSPs and at digital retailers, the 23 new songs merely comprise disc one of Swag II, with a second disc also containing the 21 songs originally released as Swag the First.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Rider agents are tasked with fighting drug smuggling and human trafficking, locating and apprehending undocumented migrants and occasionally rescuing migrants and citizen hikers.—
Suzanne Wright,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraining. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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