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
To him, the beloved community was never simply about restraining harm or condemning injustice after the fact.
—
Deborah Archer, Time, 19 Jan. 2026
In surveillance video, Laumann can be seen holding Stingley in a chokehold while the other two men aided in restraining him.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 16 Jan. 2026
Leaders focused on restraining power more than adopting strategies that were focused on winning.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
According to the sheriff’s office, Keisler secured the emu using a makeshift lasso before restraining its legs to stop it from kicking.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order preventing the board and Cavin from taking any further action in their cases, as well as an injunction restraining Cavin and the board from discriminating against, or retaliating against, Mejia and Smith.
—Clark Kauffman, Des Moines Register, 14 Jan. 2026
Congress appears utterly incapable of restraining the Administration’s adventurism, and condemnation from foreign leaders seems only to add new names to the list of America’s enemies.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
Refocus the Future of Health Care Commission on improving quality and controlling Medicaid costs by restraining exceptionally high spending on long-term and home care.
—Andrew Rein, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
The case opens another front in clashes relating to the legality of bundling and could present a threat to programmers whose business models are dependent on restraining distributors’ ability to package channels and subscription periods.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Deborah Archer, Time, 19 Jan. 2026
In surveillance video, Laumann can be seen holding Stingley in a chokehold while the other two men aided in restraining him.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 16 Jan. 2026
Leaders focused on restraining power more than adopting strategies that were focused on winning.
—David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
According to the sheriff’s office, Keisler secured the emu using a makeshift lasso before restraining its legs to stop it from kicking.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order preventing the board and Cavin from taking any further action in their cases, as well as an injunction restraining Cavin and the board from discriminating against, or retaliating against, Mejia and Smith.
—Clark Kauffman, Des Moines Register, 14 Jan. 2026
Congress appears utterly incapable of restraining the Administration’s adventurism, and condemnation from foreign leaders seems only to add new names to the list of America’s enemies.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2026
Refocus the Future of Health Care Commission on improving quality and controlling Medicaid costs by restraining exceptionally high spending on long-term and home care.
—Andrew Rein, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
The case opens another front in clashes relating to the legality of bundling and could present a threat to programmers whose business models are dependent on restraining distributors’ ability to package channels and subscription periods.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraining
Verb
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The farmers also pitched in with efforts of their own, including adjusting fertilizer methods, controlling soil erosion and increasing on-site water retention.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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Other concerning behaviors may include constant messaging, controlling actions, name-calling, threats, or refusing to respect your boundaries.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In response, Republican lawmakers in December introduced the Safeguarding Homeland Immigration Enforcement from Local Detention (SHIELD) Act, which would prohibit local police from arresting federal agents.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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Police released a video asking for help before arresting McKee in Rockford, Illinois, linking him to a car seen on surveillance video around the murder scene.—
Sara Machi,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That means enforcing bycatch limits, regulating fishing effort, and improving monitoring on the high seas.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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In September, the town of East Hartford approved a detailed ordinance regulating all surveillance technologies, including license plate readers, speed and red light cameras and drones.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But seizing current oil production is one thing; overhauling Venezuela's entire oil industry would be another.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
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Trump has occasionally discussed seizing Greenland since his first term but few initially took his threats seriously.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For years, Illinois counted on the feds to take the lead in curbing water pollution.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
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Albritton emphasized the traditional role of the Senate in curbing ideological hysteria.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Take after the actress by grabbing them in black, or choose from six additional colors, including burgundy and deep brown.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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Healthy cooking often boils down to accessibility and convenience; busy lives can leave people grabbing less nutritious alternatives.—
Virginia Willis,
AJC.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Each envelope containing the clue was inside a box filled with some frightful creature — rats, snakes, a tarantula, millipedes, and cockroaches.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Jan. 2026
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The pants washed back out to sea; however, his wallet, containing his ID, was given to the police.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Protesters in Minneapolis have since flooded the streets in the thousands, and ICE agents have responded by apprehending some, shoving others to the ground, and spraying chemical irritants in their faces.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
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While our immigration enforcement should be focused on apprehending and prosecuting violent criminals to make our communities safer, these ICE actions are doing the opposite and making our state less safe.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraining. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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