1
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
she demonstrated an almost unnatural self-restraint during the fight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discipline
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
we must practice self-restraint even with people who are deliberately rude
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Recent Examples of self-restraint
Without meaningful regulation or self-restraint by AI firms, the arms race between data-hungry bots and those attempting to defend open source infrastructure seems likely to escalate further, potentially deepening the crisis for the digital ecosystem that underpins the modern Internet.
—
Ars Technica, 25 Mar. 2025
The sun’s alignment with Saturn encourages self-restraint, not self-deprivation.
—USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
It is considered a period of introspection, communal prayer and a time to practice self-restraint, as explained by Britannica.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
But in Dubai, during Ramadan, self-restraint wasn’t solitary.
—Julie Cobalt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-restraint
Ars Technica, 25 Mar. 2025
The sun’s alignment with Saturn encourages self-restraint, not self-deprivation.
—USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
It is considered a period of introspection, communal prayer and a time to practice self-restraint, as explained by Britannica.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
But in Dubai, during Ramadan, self-restraint wasn’t solitary.
—Julie Cobalt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-restraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-restraint
Noun
-
Some voices, such as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, have urged restraint against rushing to defer to Israel’s efforts—putting leading leftists in an odd confluence with folks like Carlson and former Trump counselor Steve Bannon.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
17 June 2025
-
While members called for restraint and diplomacy, divisions remain.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
This kind of discipline builds clarity, momentum and trust.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
Portes, formerly of DePaul, took over as chair in 2024 and has overhauled the school’s undergraduate theater program, with plans to gradually grow the graduate acting cohorts and other disciplines.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-restraint. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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