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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restraint
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for restraint from both countries.
—
Diaa Hadid, NPR, 7 May 2025
Whether the source of sweetness was molasses, maple syrup, cane sugar, or something else, our tasters wanted restraint in this area and balance through savoriness and acidity.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 May 2025
Tensions have ramped up despite the United States and China – two major global players – urging restraint.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 5 May 2025
Does not such restraint signify a lack of responsibility?
—Alexander Soifer, Scientific American, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Diaa Hadid, NPR, 7 May 2025
Whether the source of sweetness was molasses, maple syrup, cane sugar, or something else, our tasters wanted restraint in this area and balance through savoriness and acidity.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 May 2025
Tensions have ramped up despite the United States and China – two major global players – urging restraint.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 5 May 2025
Does not such restraint signify a lack of responsibility?
—Alexander Soifer, Scientific American, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraint
Noun
-
Moody’s Ratings recently downgraded the U.S.’s AAA rating, citing doubts about the country’s ability to maintain fiscal discipline.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
19 May 2025
-
Controversially, the plan also included converting campus libraries into student discipline spaces.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
This could involve direct negotiations with nations like the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia rather than applying broad regional restrictions.—
Benj Edwards,
ArsTechnica,
8 May 2025
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More information about the restrictions at Folsom Lake and nearby Lake Clementine is available on the State Parks’ website.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
Franklin’s virtues are: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility.—
Michael Maguire,
Boston Herald,
19 Aug. 2024
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Supporters aligned with the temperance movement used Weston’s walks to advance their agenda—since Weston was a teetotaler, sponsors and cheerleaders trumpeted his feats as evidence that sobriety was healthy.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That leaves ‘financial repression’ - forcing US citizens or their agents (pension funds, insurance companies, banks) to hold US Treasuries.—
Kevin Coldiron,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
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Foreign students appear to have replaced the immigrant union leaders of the 1950s as the targets of government repression.—
Rick Baldoz,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
New Organization And Team Operating Model AI technology by itself will not yield value until there is an openness to take a fresh look at business processes and combine them with resource and tech dependency with no constraints.—
Balmukund Shukla,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
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This limitation is a significant constraint on his potential serving speed.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
Two years later — after moving out of the house and into the garage — Ellie is working up the nerve to tackle her issue with Joel head-on.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
18 May 2025
-
Inflammation makes the corneal nerves more sensitive in people with dry eyes.—
Sarah Hudgens,
Health,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
Just in time for the full moon in Libra on April 12, Luna will illuminate your 12th house of secrets, inhibitions and unconscious patterns, urging you to let go of patterns that no longer serve you.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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His research team, in partnership with associate professor Sakiko Okumoto at Texas A&M University, hopes to study plant mechanisms in sorghum and capitalize on its innate ability to inhibit nitrogen loss, a process known as biological nitrification inhibition (BNI).—
Robin Roenker,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Like Proton Drive, Proton Calendar and Proton Pass are available to free users, but with limitations.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
14 May 2025
-
Under the draft bill, the limitations would be made permanent.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraint. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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