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
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Recent Examples of restraints
While some rides have computer systems that can help alert attendants to potential problems, attendants are in charge of checking restraints, conducting daily maintenance and operation inspections, and dispatch rides.
—
Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 13 May 2026
Allen’s attorneys complained that he had been unnecessarily confined in a padded room with constant lighting, repeatedly strip searched and placed in restraints outside his cell.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Federal officers also used excessive force to detain people, including chokeholds and restraints that are not permissible under Illinois or federal law.
—Edwin C. Yohnka, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
While that can be tricky territory for guild signatories trying to reassure talent that they aren’t being supplanted by cheaper, non-human production methods, an emerging content outlet like Canela has fewer traditional restraints.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Staff put the man in restraints and took him away to decontaminate.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
Before being taken to the new jail, those being held were placed in handcuffs, waist chains and leg restraints.
—Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026
The bill would bar, in most cases, federal agencies from putting pregnant women in restrictive housing or restraints.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC news, 7 May 2026
Irecognize the fiscal restraints the body was operating under.
—Rose Evans
may 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2026
Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 13 May 2026
Allen’s attorneys complained that he had been unnecessarily confined in a padded room with constant lighting, repeatedly strip searched and placed in restraints outside his cell.
—Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Federal officers also used excessive force to detain people, including chokeholds and restraints that are not permissible under Illinois or federal law.
—Edwin C. Yohnka, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
While that can be tricky territory for guild signatories trying to reassure talent that they aren’t being supplanted by cheaper, non-human production methods, an emerging content outlet like Canela has fewer traditional restraints.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Staff put the man in restraints and took him away to decontaminate.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
Before being taken to the new jail, those being held were placed in handcuffs, waist chains and leg restraints.
—Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026
The bill would bar, in most cases, federal agencies from putting pregnant women in restrictive housing or restraints.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC news, 7 May 2026
Irecognize the fiscal restraints the body was operating under.
—Rose Evans
may 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraints
Noun
-
Global demand is facing constraints because supply from the Persian Gulf has been effectively cut off by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of the Hormuz.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
-
The specific constraints Goldman identifies are unglamorous by Silicon Valley standards — but increasingly hard to dismiss.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Business travelers will find this especially frustrating, as even VPNs usually can’t break through these restrictions in the capital.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
An Israeli source told CNN that the idea of a sunset clause has been floated in negotiations – a provision that would allow some restrictions to expire after a set number of years.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
But here, the acceptance of one’s limitations is less an admission of defeat than a reaffirmation of one’s power to effect change within them.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
An embargo like this means you are allowed to tweet your impressions, with some limitations, rather than publish full reviews, the kind that would be scored and thrown up on Rotten Tomatoes, so The Mandalorian and Grogu has no score yet.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restraints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraints. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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