as in constraints
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of restraints
The facility, under a consent decree since 2017, has eliminated pepper spray and reduced the use of strip searches and restraints.
—
Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Instead, investigators with Goodyear police uncovered texts that discussed handcuffing, zip-tying and using other restraints on Sanaa throughout the end of her short life.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Rubin allegedly poured more than $1 million into flights, payouts to women and maintaining the Central Park Manhattan penthouse that was outfitted with restraints and shock devices.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
The reports obtained by The Post show a barrage of complaints from youth that staff used excessive force during restraints or other physical management responses at the state’s 14 facilities.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Routh, who represented himself and was not shackled during proceedings, appeared in restraints after attempting to stab himself following the verdict.
—Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
WyCo policy requires training for restraints According to the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office restraint policy, restraints are to be removed as soon as reasonable after deputies complete a search or the person has been confined.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025
There are restraints on broadcasters, the FCC notes, including on indecency, obscenity, commercial content in children’s programming and broadcast news distortion.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2025
The decrease in grant funding will force colleges and universities to make decisions about how to reallocate resources and navigate under new funding restraints.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Instead, investigators with Goodyear police uncovered texts that discussed handcuffing, zip-tying and using other restraints on Sanaa throughout the end of her short life.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Rubin allegedly poured more than $1 million into flights, payouts to women and maintaining the Central Park Manhattan penthouse that was outfitted with restraints and shock devices.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
The reports obtained by The Post show a barrage of complaints from youth that staff used excessive force during restraints or other physical management responses at the state’s 14 facilities.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Routh, who represented himself and was not shackled during proceedings, appeared in restraints after attempting to stab himself following the verdict.
—Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
WyCo policy requires training for restraints According to the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office restraint policy, restraints are to be removed as soon as reasonable after deputies complete a search or the person has been confined.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025
There are restraints on broadcasters, the FCC notes, including on indecency, obscenity, commercial content in children’s programming and broadcast news distortion.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2025
The decrease in grant funding will force colleges and universities to make decisions about how to reallocate resources and navigate under new funding restraints.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraints
Noun
-
According to the report, many developers face obstacles such as rising construction costs, financing constraints, labor shortages, and regulatory complexity.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Forcing athletes to find new affordances within various constraints makes perception-action coupling more efficient.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The new truck routes and restrictions are the result of study, coordination and collaboration between city officials, local residents, area small business owners and trucking companies, city officials said.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The program includes 20,000 scholarships, with the first 10,000 earmarked for families who meet income restrictions.—
Rachel Wegner,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Moulton’s Senate primary rationale, stated or otherwise, rests on the enduring public image of former President Joe Biden, who withdrew from his 2024 reelection bid after a disastrous debate against Trump revealed limitations of being in office at age 82 and beyond.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
-
There are still limitations, of course.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restraints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraints. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share