Synonyms of restrains

restrains

verb

present tense third-person singular of restrain

1

as in regulates

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

• regulates
• contains
• curbs
• keeps
• controls
• stifles
• suppresses
• inhibits
• constrains
• tames
• governs
• measures
• holds
• rules
• stops
• checks
• reins (in)
• represses
• hinders
• pulls in
• bridles
• impedes
• interrupts
• strangles
• smothers
• obstructs
• swallows
• muffles
• hampers
• chokes (back)
• blocks
• squelches
• arrests
• silences
• holds back
• pockets
• bottles (up)
• minces
• sinks
• handcuffs
• muzzles
• gags

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loses
• liberates
• loosens
• expresses
• unleashes
• looses
• takes out
• airs
• vents

2

as in seizes

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

• seizes
• arrests
• grabs
• apprehends
• detains
• captures
• pinches
• nabs
• commits
• nails
• runs in
• imprisons
• snatches
• collars
• catches
• pulls in
• busts
• picks up
• nicks
• binds
• traps
• confines
• incarcerates
• grapples
• jails
• lands
• holds
• snaps (up)
• snares
• locks (up)
• hooks
• fetters
• gets
• handcuffs
• shackles
• bags
• remands
• enchains
• trammels
• interns
• immures
• manacles
• rearrests
• jugs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discharges
• liberates
• frees
• springs
• loosens
• releases
• looses
• emancipates
• unbinds
• unchains

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of restrains

Elsewhere on the canvas, Cassatt restrains herself to match Katherine’s discipline. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026

Remarkably, state law also severely restrains cities and counties from setting their own regulations, giving local leaders little sway over local gun policies. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026

The result is an economic model that favors producers, restrains consumers, and floods international markets with supercheap exports, including steel, solar panels, and electric vehicles. — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026

At certain points in the novel, that distance calcifies and restrains his writing. — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026

And most of the officials agreed that the Fed’s key rate is close to a level that neither stimulates nor restrains the economy. — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

China’s factory deflation eased more than expected in January thanks mostly to a global metals rally, even as weak demand at home restrains a more sustainable turnaround in prices. — Bloomberg, 11 Feb. 2026

According to projections made at the December meeting, that’s only about half a percentage point from the committee consensus on the neutral rate, or one that neither supports nor restrains growth. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026

There are also possible free speech claims if the law restrains NIL opportunities and interferes with First Amendment freedom of expression. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Dec. 2025