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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restrains
Video shows the moment an officer in camouflage and tactical gear approaches an individual, after which another officer tackles the person, restrains them with plastic handcuffs, and leads them away.
—
Hanna Park, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
An 1878 law known as the Posse Comitatus Act generally restrains the use of the military for such purposes.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2025
In the footage, a Border Patrol agent is shown holding one man with his forearm across a man’s neck – and later, an FHP officer restrains the man who is tased, grabbing him around the neck area while the man is doubled down.
—Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
That line of reasoning is intended to assert that NASCAR promotes, not restrains, competition in the marketplace and has created a product very popular with fans, sponsors and TV networks.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Hanna Park, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
An 1878 law known as the Posse Comitatus Act generally restrains the use of the military for such purposes.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2025
In the footage, a Border Patrol agent is shown holding one man with his forearm across a man’s neck – and later, an FHP officer restrains the man who is tased, grabbing him around the neck area while the man is doubled down.
—Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 9 Aug. 2025
That line of reasoning is intended to assert that NASCAR promotes, not restrains, competition in the marketplace and has created a product very popular with fans, sponsors and TV networks.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrains
Verb
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Additionally, the department licenses and regulates insurance companies operating in Arkansas, administers the state government's workers' compensation program, provides Medicare counseling to senior citizens, and investigates consumer complaints and insurance fraud.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
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The act formed the FCC, the government agency that regulates broadcast TV networks, like Disney’s ABC.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Dolores notices they are gone and begins to lash out, and Abby seizes an opportunity to knock Dolores out.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
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Continue reading … CRYPTO CRACKDOWN – DOJ seizes record $15 billion in Bitcoin in largest US forfeiture ever.—
,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Merino wool, on the other hand, is a cold-weather classic, and my suitcase for winters in Wyoming always contains several tees and tops made with the fabric.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
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Honey contains mainy sugar along with amino acids, minerals ,and vitamins that give it antioxidant sand anti-inflammatory benefits.—
Gillian Mohney,
Verywell Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Police officer Hugo Crussi (Vogrincic) traces the voice to a young preacher, Jonas Flores (Zurita), and arrests him.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But the sustained fury grabs you.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
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Today, artificial intelligence grabs headlines and AI stocks are soaring.—
Drew O’Connor,
Nashville Tennessean,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Even at a high average annual value, the lack of years keeps mid-market teams in the mix.—
Patrick McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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The organization keeps the food banks in a rotation so distributions go out evenly, although the nonprofit also considers which pantries are most in need.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Suppose the number is read in one case out of a hundred, and that the information reaches someone who apprehends the culprit in one case out of one thousand.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The demo will also look at emergency procedures, including those involving the Power Distribution Unit (PDU), which controls power from the solar array and battery packs.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Nov. 2025
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More than 60% of 136 facilities connected to missile production or the Chinese military’s rocket force, which controls China’s nuclear arsenal, showed signs of expansion in satellite images.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restrains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrains. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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