Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

self-restraint

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of self-restraint

1 the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
  • She demonstrated an almost unnatural self-restraint during the trial.
Synonyms of self-restraint

continence, restraint, self-command, self-containment, self-control, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, self-possession, will, willpower
Words Related to self-restraint

self-abnegation, self-denial

moderateness, moderation, temperance, temperateness

determination, nerve

command, control, discipline, mastery

abnegation, abstention, avoidance, eschewal, forbearance

abstinence, soberness, sobriety

aplomb, assurance, composure, confidence, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-confidence

discretion
Near Antonyms of self-restraint

gratification, indulgence, self-indulgence

excessiveness, immoderacy, intemperance, intemperateness, overindulgence

demerit, failing, fault, feebleness, foible, frailty, shortcoming, vice, weakness

indiscipline, unconstraint, unreserve, unreservedness, unrestraint
2 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.
Synonyms of self-restraint

constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, suppression
Words Related to self-restraint

command, control, mastery, possession

self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower

composure, self-poise, self-possession

aloofness, detachedness, distance

bashfulness, modesty, shyness

reticence, silence, taciturnity
Near Antonyms of self-restraint

self-abandonment, uninhibitedness

unrestrainedness

gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence

bluntness, candor, frankness

immoderacy, intemperance
Antonyms of self-restraint

disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint

Learn More about self-restraint

  1. See words that rhyme with self-restraint Spanish Central: Translation of self-restraint Nglish: Translation of self-restraint for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up self-restraint? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games