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
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
The Washington Post via Getty Images Ellis asked Monday about several instances in which tear gas was deployed after her order restraining its use.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
The leather straps for restraining limbs are still there on opposite ends underneath stacks of paper.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
Darcy said that when a person is resisting officers, their knowledge of the person having pre-existing medical conditions is not enough to prevent them from restraining someone combative.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025
And still other judges, like Campbell, see the rules as unlawfully restraining a labor market in certain instances.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
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
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
The Washington Post via Getty Images Ellis asked Monday about several instances in which tear gas was deployed after her order restraining its use.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
The leather straps for restraining limbs are still there on opposite ends underneath stacks of paper.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
Darcy said that when a person is resisting officers, their knowledge of the person having pre-existing medical conditions is not enough to prevent them from restraining someone combative.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025
And still other judges, like Campbell, see the rules as unlawfully restraining a labor market in certain instances.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraining
Verb
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Out of 111 families surveyed, about 20 percent of them now own a controlling stake in a sports team, its 2025 Principal Discussions Report said.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
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In one sequence, a single soldier was shown controlling nine wolf robots and six drones simultaneously, using a real-time 3D battlefield interface.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The four-day operation focused on identifying and arresting people suspected of using online platforms to prey on children.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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Turner spoke with an arresting conviction, locating Canada’s fate in geography, history, and its defining quest to defy manifest destiny and political gravity.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The administration argues the tariffs are aimed at regulating foreign commerce, not raising revenue.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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The brief contends that regulating super PAC contributions imposes minimal constraints on free speech rights.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The officer ended up seizing the exempt plates on Farzam’s car, McChesney said.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
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In all those cases, the fund may lack the capital for seizing the opportunity.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly said the central bank must strike a balance between its dual mandates, curbing inflation and supporting the labor market.—
,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
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Taking into account the 10 percent reduction of tariffs related to China’s commitment to curbing fentanyl, the country’s duty burden currently stands at 47 percent—lower than that of India (50 percent) and identical to neighboring Hong Kong.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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These are especially useful for taking public transport, grabbing a quick coffee, or leaving a small tip at a restaurant.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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Peterson led the way, scoring 26 points — 24 before halftime — and grabbing four rebounds.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Look 5 degrees to the lower left of the Pleiades to find the patch of sky containing Uranus.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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The recall was initiated because products containing wheat were incorrectly placed into packaging that doesn't list the presence of wheat, according to the FDA.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Nov. 2025
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 7 Nov. 2025.
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