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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of restraining
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
Prosecutors have said Penny acted recklessly and negligently by restraining Neely in a chokehold for so long, even after Neely stopped moving.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 9 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
Eric Levenson, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
Prosecutors have said Penny acted recklessly and negligently by restraining Neely in a chokehold for so long, even after Neely stopped moving.
—Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 9 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
-
According to the motion, ICE agents held the 12 Liberty employees in four booths for nearly two hours before arresting them and escorting them out of the restaurant.—
Taylor O’Connor,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The California Values Act, also known as Senate Bill 54, took effect in 2018 and limits how police in the state can work with federal immigration enforcement and also prevents police from investigating or arresting people for immigration enforcement purposes.—
Anabel Sosa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Even the bed—a plush, temperature-regulating masterpiece—felt like it had been engineered specifically to cradle you into the best rest of your life.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
30 Dec. 2024
-
On the other hand, if your social media app of choice elicits feelings of insufficiency, and self-control resources are burned up by exerting will power to avoid consuming products, or regulating hard emotions, than that experience is important to notice.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Pretending to be dead, Gi-hun and his friends launch a surprise attack, overpowering the guards and seizing their weapons, leaving only one guard alive.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes,
28 Dec. 2024
-
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) forces have since received training by Russian forces in the Far East and first engaged in combat with Ukrainian military in November, subsequently seizing their first village in Kursk, Plekhovo, earlier this month.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The White Sox, though, had other ideas, grabbing Smith with the first pick of the draft for $100,000.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The Ravens believe in drafting corners every year, and the first-round selection of Nate Wiggins in 2024 won’t prevent them from grabbing another cornerback early.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Gunfire ensued when Ratliff came out of the vault with a sack containing money.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American-Statesman,
24 Dec. 2024
-
American fans have the opportunity to purchase seven different CD variants, all containing collectible items such as photocards, posters, stickers and trading cards.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Van Dijk will not enjoy the replays either but Liverpool’s captain responded in a way that should remind everyone — in the week that Salah’s new contract was announced — about the importance of keeping the Dutchman at Anfield.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
In this case, blocking high pressure has tended to focus on Britain's part of Europe, keeping it unusually dry and rather pleasant.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Immigration advocates, attorneys and civil litigators are warning against the normalization of federal agents concealing their faces while detaining nonviolent students.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Western supporters of Ukraine have frozen roughly $300 billion in Russian Central Bank assets, as well as seizing and detaining yachts owned by Russian citizens under sanctions.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraining. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share