Synonyms of restraining

restraining

verb

present participle of restrain

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

• controlling
• regulating
• curbing
• containing
• keeping
• suppressing
• measuring
• constraining
• inhibiting
• stifling
• taming
• holding
• governing
• ruling
• checking
• stopping
• bridling
• pulling in
• interrupting
• repressing
• swallowing
• strangling
• smothering
• impeding
• hindering
• reining (in)
• blocking
• obstructing
• arresting
• hampering
• choking (back)
• silencing
• holding back
• muffling
• sinking
• bottling (up)
• squelching
• mincing
• handcuffing
• pocketing
• muzzling
• gagging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• losing
• loosening
• liberating
• expressing
• venting
• unleashing
• taking out
• loosing
• airing

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

• arresting
• seizing
• grabbing
• apprehending
• detaining
• pinching
• nailing
• committing
• capturing
• snatching
• nicking
• running in
• pulling in
• busting
• jailing
• nabbing
• collaring
• trapping
• imprisoning
• confining
• catching
• picking up
• incarcerating
• snaring
• hooking
• handcuffing
• holding
• grappling
• binding
• bagging
• shackling
• snapping (up)
• landing
• locking (up)
• getting
• fettering
• remanding
• interning
• enchaining
• jugging
• immuring
• trammeling
• manacling
• rearresting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharging
• freeing
• releasing
• loosening
• springing
• liberating
• emancipating
• loosing
• unbinding
• unchaining

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of restraining

According to a recall notice posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an issue in the second row could prevent occupants from adequately restraining themselves inside the vehicle, raising the risk of injury during a collision. — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Jor’Dell Richardson was lying face up on the ground with two officers restraining at least one of his hands when another officer shot him in the stomach. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 3 Aug. 2026

True peace requires restraining both nuclear and conventional arsenals. — William Hartung, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

The two newspapers were briefly silenced by the White House, which persuaded the courts to order them to cease releasing the documents, and then were vindicated when the Supreme Court barred the government from restraining publication. — Heather Hendershot, The Conversation, 31 July 2026

The videos showed multiple players restraining the 15-year-old victim while another of the juvenile suspects poked him with a broomstick. — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 29 July 2026

Videos and images from the scene showed a fire with a plume of smoke and bright orange flames near a building entrance, as well as law enforcement officers restraining the suspect. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Videos and photos from the scene showed a fire with a plume of smoke on the sidewalk outside the building, as well as officers restraining a person and taking them away. — Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Nolan, energized by the self-restraining power of modern morality, turns an epic poem prosaic. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026