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
But in May 2025, citing budget restraints, Newsom slashed the state’s first-year commitment to just $10 million for fiscal year 2025-26, with no future state funding guaranteed.
—
Yue Stella Yu, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
However, vendors began to claim in January 2024 that they were left waiting for payments for months at a time, according to the Sourcing Journal, which a former retail executive then explained was typical of a retailer facing liquidity restraints.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
Transitions require complex negotiations about guarantees and restraints on executive power.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Attorneys for Robinson have also filed a motion to permit Robinson to appear in court hearings in regular clothing, without restraints.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
But in May 2025, citing budget restraints, Newsom slashed the state’s first-year commitment to just $10 million for fiscal year 2025-26, with no future state funding guaranteed.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
But videos reviewed by ProPublica show that agents have been using these restraints to do just that.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 13 Jan. 2026
These are the lessons that keep Wembanyama pushing to get back in the lineup when his knee was hyperextended earlier in the week and the Spurs want to put him in restraints for his own good.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
While Maduro's hands were in restraints during his transfer to the courthouse, neither he nor wife were shackled in the courtroom.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Yue Stella Yu, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
However, vendors began to claim in January 2024 that they were left waiting for payments for months at a time, according to the Sourcing Journal, which a former retail executive then explained was typical of a retailer facing liquidity restraints.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026
Transitions require complex negotiations about guarantees and restraints on executive power.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Attorneys for Robinson have also filed a motion to permit Robinson to appear in court hearings in regular clothing, without restraints.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
But in May 2025, citing budget restraints, Newsom slashed the state’s first-year commitment to just $10 million for fiscal year 2025-26, with no future state funding guaranteed.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
But videos reviewed by ProPublica show that agents have been using these restraints to do just that.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 13 Jan. 2026
These are the lessons that keep Wembanyama pushing to get back in the lineup when his knee was hyperextended earlier in the week and the Spurs want to put him in restraints for his own good.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
While Maduro's hands were in restraints during his transfer to the courthouse, neither he nor wife were shackled in the courtroom.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraints
Noun
-
Managers are busy, organizations have budget constraints, and without your voice, the default is maintaining the status quo—which rarely benefits you.—
Kwame Christian Esq,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and the National University of Singapore now report a method that changes those constraints.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Quayle said that partially because of new restrictions on Newark flying, United will have aircraft available.—
Ted Reed,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Citing recent Supreme Court precedent, the panel said federal courts lack authority to impose such broad restrictions on executive branch operations.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Vrabel believes part of Durden’s development is knowing his limitations.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
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That strategy is now approaching its limitations.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restraints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraints. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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