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

Farther down, the levee that restrains the rivers is a low line of trees into the horizon. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026

The constitutional exclusionary rule restrains government, not private parties, so the Fourth Amendment generally does not bar evidence wrongfully obtained by a private actor. — Jihun Joun, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

If Beijing restrains Chinese developers while believing American labs are secretly advancing, China has every reason to defect. — Shlomit Wagman, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

In the first act, the elegant Bailey restrains his vocal power to transmit a gentler, more angelic quality to his sound. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2026

On that same front, Hoffman’s order restrains the NCAA from enforcing the rule of restitution. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026

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