Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

restraint

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of restraint

1 the checking of oneʼs 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 of restraint

constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression
Words Related to restraint

command, control, mastery, possession

self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower

composure, self-poise, self-possession

aloofness, detachedness, distance

bashfulness, modesty, shyness

reticence, silence, taciturnity
Near Antonyms of restraint

self-abandonment, uninhibitedness

unrestrainedness

gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence

bluntness, candor, frankness

immoderacy, intemperance
Antonyms of restraint

disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint

2 something that limits oneʼs freedom of action or choice

  • civil libertarians contend that the new laws place too many restraints on our constitutionally guaranteed rights
Synonyms of restraint

check, circumscription, condition, constraint, curb, fetter, limitation, restriction, stricture
Words Related to restraint

exception, proviso, qualification, reservation, stipulation, strings

ban, prohibition, proscription
Near Antonyms of restraint

freedom, latitude

3 the power to control oneʼs actions, impulses, or emotions

  • he shows very little restraint or tact when expressing his opinions about others
Synonyms of restraint

continence, self-command, self-containment, self-control, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, self-possession, self-restraint, will, willpower
Words Related to restraint

self-abnegation, self-denial

moderateness, moderation, temperance, temperateness

determination, nerve

command, control, discipline, mastery

abnegation, abstention, avoidance, eschewal, forbearance

abstinence, soberness, sobriety

aplomb, assurance, composure, confidence, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-confidence

discretion
Near Antonyms of restraint

gratification, indulgence, self-indulgence

excessiveness, immoderacy, intemperance, intemperateness, overindulgence

demerit, failing, fault, feebleness, foible, frailty, shortcoming, vice, weakness

indiscipline, unconstraint, unreserve, unreservedness, unrestraint

Learn More about restraint

  1. See words that rhyme with restraint Dictionary: Definition of restraint Medical Dictionary: Definition of restraint Spanish Central: Translation of restraint Nglish: Translation of restraint for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of restraint for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up restraint? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

nidus

a nest or breeding place

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. nebulous Lip reading, Brexit, and semantic uncertainty

  2. synergy Mueller files Cohen details.

  3. slumgullion From the broadcast of 'It Happened on Fifth Avenue'

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games