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
An inspector found a fly strip over a prep table and employees not wearing hair restraints while preparing food, county documents show.
—
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
The legal importance of economic restraints on college athletes being borne through collective bargaining can’t be overstated.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Instead of stabbing him, Dexter sliced off one of the restraints to free Batista.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
The first time Victor Garcia attempted to hang himself in Fox Lake’s restrictive housing unit, staff wrote him up with a conduct violation, placed him in restraints and on clinical observation.
—Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Stachowiak said the room was 56 degrees when officers arrived at the home and restraints were strapped to the side of the bed, with marks on his wrists indicating the teen had been tied down.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 26 Aug. 2025
Neither is a realistic aim because of the same restraints that explain why the DFL has been willing to take such a bold step.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Show creator David Broome said that an aftercare program was not possible due to financial restraints.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
The law also imposes restraints on club intellectual property that are unimaginable (and perhaps unconstitutional) in America and which substantially preclude new or interesting brand ideas and their related monetization.
—Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
The legal importance of economic restraints on college athletes being borne through collective bargaining can’t be overstated.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Instead of stabbing him, Dexter sliced off one of the restraints to free Batista.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
The first time Victor Garcia attempted to hang himself in Fox Lake’s restrictive housing unit, staff wrote him up with a conduct violation, placed him in restraints and on clinical observation.
—Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Stachowiak said the room was 56 degrees when officers arrived at the home and restraints were strapped to the side of the bed, with marks on his wrists indicating the teen had been tied down.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 26 Aug. 2025
Neither is a realistic aim because of the same restraints that explain why the DFL has been willing to take such a bold step.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Show creator David Broome said that an aftercare program was not possible due to financial restraints.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
The law also imposes restraints on club intellectual property that are unimaginable (and perhaps unconstitutional) in America and which substantially preclude new or interesting brand ideas and their related monetization.
—Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraints
Noun
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Enterprises are now aligning their computing footprints with long-term business goals—whether sustainability, resilience or adapting to geopolitical and technological constraints.—
Nicola Sfondrini,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Unlike satellites, which are limited by weather, or drones, which face endurance constraints, the hydrogen airship can persistently monitor below the clouds, providing a continuous flow of intelligence.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Those with dietary restrictions can pre-order special meals at least 24 hours in advance.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Regional restrictions may apply.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Jones’ limitations aren’t going away, but his can be schemed around, which was less the case with Richardson.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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However, this research work also has some limitations.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restraints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraints. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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