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
No other employees involved in the altercation were fired, including the worker seen restraining the woman on the ground.
—
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Arab governments eager to turn the page on years of upheaval see Washington as the only power capable—if rarely willing—of restraining a bellicose Israel.
—Comfort Ero, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
Around that time, Howe was the focus of a KCRG-TV report that included body-camera footage of him physically restraining Wolf, who was suspected of driving while barred.
—Clark Kauffman, Des Moines Register, 8 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
By placing the Civil Administration under political control rather than independent military command, the government has weakened one of the few mechanisms capable of restraining settler expansion.
—Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Video shows one agent restraining the man, then dragging him around as another agent helps pin him to the ground.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Taiwan, too, should keep enhancing its civil and military defenses while restraining its assertions of sovereignty in cross-strait affairs.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Arab governments eager to turn the page on years of upheaval see Washington as the only power capable—if rarely willing—of restraining a bellicose Israel.
—Comfort Ero, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
Around that time, Howe was the focus of a KCRG-TV report that included body-camera footage of him physically restraining Wolf, who was suspected of driving while barred.
—Clark Kauffman, Des Moines Register, 8 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
By placing the Civil Administration under political control rather than independent military command, the government has weakened one of the few mechanisms capable of restraining settler expansion.
—Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Video shows one agent restraining the man, then dragging him around as another agent helps pin him to the ground.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Taiwan, too, should keep enhancing its civil and military defenses while restraining its assertions of sovereignty in cross-strait affairs.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
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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The arresting officer’s injuries did not require medical attention, Frasier told the Idaho Statesman by email.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The government is also still cracking down on dissent, arresting people for celebrating Maduro’s capture.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Silk is known to have great temperature-regulating qualities, so these will lock in the heat during the winter and keep you cool in the summer.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
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That’s because our oceans play a key role in regulating the impact of global carbon emissions in our atmosphere—absorbing about 90% of the excess heat from planetary warming trapped by greenhouse gases over the past century.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
9 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
-
The idea of curbing Wall Street’s role in housing isn’t new.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
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Vaccinating children also helped protect pregnant women by curbing the spread of infection.—
Jake Scott,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The 5-11 200-pound standout has accumulated mind-boggling stats through nine games -- 1,098 rushing yards and 17 TDs while grabbing a team-leading 42 passes for 974 yards and 18 scores.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
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Nikola Jokic put up 26 points on 12 of 15 shooting, while also dishing out nine assists and grabbing nine rebounds.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This changed with the draining and containing of the Everglades and explosive growth and development that followed.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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The changes saw Fielder do a much better job of containing Demirel, allowing the Broncos to fight back and take a 9-8 lead.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bands of masked men apprehending people in broad daylight in the streets and hauling them off.—
J. David McSwane,
ProPublica,
18 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Restraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraining. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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