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

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

Joseph knew Skyler was restrained and had purchased duct tape and Ace bandages earlier that day for the purpose of restraining him, the statement said. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026

In California…there has been little success in restraining these abuses over the past decade. — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 5 July 2026

With Sanders in front, still restraining the alligator with the catch pole, Pelosi came up behind it and tossed a rag over its eyes, the video showed. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 12 June 2026

The system generated $189 million in revenue last year and over $2 billion total since the sale, according to a recent audit, all while severely restraining the city’s ability to make major road changes that remove parking spots and as parking costs rise. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026

Trump’s interest in antitrust enforcement predictably has little to do with restraining corporate power and is largely consumed with leveraging regulatory threats to compel firms to support his political agenda. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026

Two men were sentenced to years in prison after pleading guilty to felony second-degree kidnapping for luring a man to the Eagle Foothills on an offer of a photography shoot, but then tasing, restraining and beating him last fall. — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2026

Beyond that, in a TVLine interview, Kripke addressed the criticism that Marie Moreau, the blood-bending supe who can do everything from restraining supes to exploding them to literally raising the dead, was being portrayed as someone who could not take on Homelander. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026