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
One was that the workers be transported from a detention facility to the Atlanta airport without handcuffs or other physical restraints.
—
Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
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
Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraints
Noun
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Algorithmic Literacy requires genuine technical comprehension of AI capabilities, constraints, and ethical implications.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Wharton's Thomas Winberry explains how financial constraints can delay innovation and long-term growth for firms, as well as the economy.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When asked about the changing landscape of college athletics, Calipari said more regulations need to be put in place, including tougher restrictions on transfers and years that players are able to maintain eligibility.—
Michael Harley,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
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Estonia -- which shares a 183-mile frontier with Russia -- is now the only Baltic state not to have imposed new airspace restrictions along its eastern border.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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However, the study has limitations.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
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Gulf states like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE could utilize their vast sovereign wealth funds to impose trade limitations on Israel.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restraints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraints. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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