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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-restraint
Eid al-Fitr is a joyous time of renewal spent with friends and family after the month of spiritual cleansing, self-restraint and contemplation.
—
Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 5 Feb. 2026
True, Sophie Portnoy possesses none of Bess’s self-restraint, her ability to superimpose limits with the use of little more than a passing gesture, no more than a word or two.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Ultimately, signatures and self-restraint may be not enough.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
For Muslims around the world, Ramadan is not only the holiest month of the year, but a joyous time for spiritual growth, self-restraint and family gatherings.
—Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-restraint
Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 5 Feb. 2026
True, Sophie Portnoy possesses none of Bess’s self-restraint, her ability to superimpose limits with the use of little more than a passing gesture, no more than a word or two.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Ultimately, signatures and self-restraint may be not enough.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
For Muslims around the world, Ramadan is not only the holiest month of the year, but a joyous time for spiritual growth, self-restraint and family gatherings.
—Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-restraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-restraint
Noun
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Told with exacting restraint yet as layered as the lacquer on an ebony Biedermeier console, this forms a loose triptych with Pawlikowski’s last two features, Ida and Cold War, both of which were set at least partly behind the Iron Curtain.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
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For the Dior cruise show in Los Angeles, Peter Philips treated glow with the restraint of good lighting.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Since the turn of the century, California’s state budget has been plagued by a boom-and-bust syndrome rooted in its lopsided revenue system and a lack of political discipline.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
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The league constitution is a contract between teams, owners and the league that details league authority over teams, including with respect to ownership, relocation, discipline and territorial rights.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-restraint. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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