1
as in discipline
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
it will take a great deal of restraint to keep from telling her how ugly that dress is
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
civil libertarians contend that the new laws place too many restraints on our constitutionally guaranteed rights
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in temperance
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
he shows very little restraint or tact when expressing his opinions about others
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restraint
When launching his campaign, Jolly said his policies had changed but his values hadn’t, emphasizing his belief in fiscal restraint and small government.
—
Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
The skirt suit look capitalized on modern restraint, with streamlined style and subdued elements throughout.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
Even his posture throughout the evening communicated restraint.
—Partner Content, Variety, 10 June 2026
Some employees weren’t using hair restraints, raw eggs were stored above ready-to-eat food and rodent droppings were found in the kitchen.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
The skirt suit look capitalized on modern restraint, with streamlined style and subdued elements throughout.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
Even his posture throughout the evening communicated restraint.
—Partner Content, Variety, 10 June 2026
Some employees weren’t using hair restraints, raw eggs were stored above ready-to-eat food and rodent droppings were found in the kitchen.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraint
Noun
-
Remember, Mercury oversees communication, information, planning and perception, while Saturn brings limits, discipline, scrutiny and reality checks.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
-
The administration investigated Chicago Public Schools and withheld more than $20 million when the district refused to end its Black Student Success Program, which aims to increase access to advanced coursework for Black students and reduce overly harsh discipline.—
Annie Ma,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The legislature is currently considering a bill that would put more restrictions on data centers.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated June 8,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
-
Hotel accommodations are subject to availability, blackout dates, and confirmation of reservations, and may be subject to additional terms, conditions, restrictions, and limitations imposed by the hotel.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Moral judgments like these became part of the school curriculum in the late 19th century, as the temperance movement gained momentum toward its goal of total abstinence.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
3 May 2026
-
The temperance, abolition, and civil-rights movements in America were all motivated in part by religious convictions.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Jafarzadeh highlighted Khabiri as a symbol of the regime’s repression of athletes, as Khabiri was a rising soccer star who became captain of Iran’s national team before being arrested and asked to appear on television to renounce his political beliefs.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
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Other ancestors had fled aboard the Mayflower from the persecution of Puritans in England, aboard a steamship from pogroms in Ukraine, aboard a schooner from Spanish repression in Cuba.—
Yoni Appelbaum,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
Noun
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City attorney Andrea Leslie-Fite told council members the moratorium cannot be applied to projects that were already approved because of constraints within state law.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated June 8,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
-
Some Saratoga residents backed renewing the city’s public service contract with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office as councilmembers continued to keep their policing options open amid budget constraints.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The decline in oil prices helped ease nerves about inflation, bringing US Treasury yields lower.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
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Early statements made by the occupational therapist to police led to speculation that Hogan’s death was related to damage done to his phrenic nerve during a recent surgery.—
David Fischer,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The little people are being menaced by a dark force—a force with power, money, and very few moral inhibitions.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
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Shrug off inhibitions and break the ice as the moon and Uranus harmonize.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Noun
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The Reddit dataset has limitations since the user base skews younger and male, but the signal aligns with what clinicians have been describing for years.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
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Robotic grid guardians Power utilities in southwestern China are using robotic snakes to inspect power lines, showcasing a new approach to infrastructure monitoring in environments where drones face limitations.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraint. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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