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
As demonstrations outside an immigration enforcement facility near Chicago have ramped up over the past couple of months, so has the number of protesters being led away in restraints and facing a court date.
—
Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
To receive a replacement, disassemble the high chair, cut the restraints and seat cover, and email photo proof that the item has been taken apart.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
The rider tumbled and slid forward along the leftmost lane and the left shoulder as the bike did the same after the off-duty deputy bumped into him, video showed, before law enforcement officers moved in to apply restraints.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2025
Graf ordered the sheriff's office to use the least restrictive restraints necessary and prohibited the media from taking pictures or video of Robinson's restraints to avoid influencing potential jurors.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
At the same time, the judge denied a request from the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, to appear during the proceedings without any restraints.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2025
While objecting to restraints, Robinson’s attorneys agree with the sheriff that the court should limit or ban video and photographic coverage of proceedings.
—Stepheny Price , Melissa Chrise, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
In India, psychiatric hospitals recorded more use of restraints during full moons, based on data collected between 2016 and 2017.
—Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
Three people working on pizzas and other food weren’t wearing hair restraints.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
To receive a replacement, disassemble the high chair, cut the restraints and seat cover, and email photo proof that the item has been taken apart.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
The rider tumbled and slid forward along the leftmost lane and the left shoulder as the bike did the same after the off-duty deputy bumped into him, video showed, before law enforcement officers moved in to apply restraints.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2025
Graf ordered the sheriff's office to use the least restrictive restraints necessary and prohibited the media from taking pictures or video of Robinson's restraints to avoid influencing potential jurors.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
At the same time, the judge denied a request from the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, to appear during the proceedings without any restraints.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2025
While objecting to restraints, Robinson’s attorneys agree with the sheriff that the court should limit or ban video and photographic coverage of proceedings.
—Stepheny Price , Melissa Chrise, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
In India, psychiatric hospitals recorded more use of restraints during full moons, based on data collected between 2016 and 2017.
—Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
Three people working on pizzas and other food weren’t wearing hair restraints.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraints
Noun
-
Rarely in American history have US presidents supported constraints on American sovereignty.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The administration cited legal advice and operational constraints in determining that only 50 percent of the usual monthly benefits could be distributed to eligible households.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Regional restrictions may apply.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Details are still emerging over exactly what the new flight restrictions will mean for airline travelers.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
What limitations does that place on you?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Some dissenting judges on the court, though, said the 1977 law allows the president to regulate imports during emergencies without specific limitations.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restraints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraints. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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