restrain

verb

re·​strain ri-ˈstrān 

restrained; restraining; restrains

transitive verb

1

a

: to prevent from doing, exhibiting, or expressing something

restrained the child from jumping

b

: to limit, restrict, or keep under control

try to restrain your anger

2

: to moderate or limit the force, effect, development, or full exercise of

restrain trade

3

: to deprive of liberty

especially : to place under arrest or restraint

restrainable

ri-ˈstrā-nə-bəl 

adjective

restrainer noun

Synonyms

• bridle
• check
• constrain
• contain
• control
• curb
• govern
• hold
• inhibit
• keep
• measure
• pull in
• regulate
• rein (in)
• rule
• tame

Choose the Right Synonym for restrain

restrain, check, curb, bridle mean to hold back from or control in doing something.

restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Examples of restrain in a Sentence

He could not restrain the dog from attacking.

He could restrain himself no longer.

Hospital orderlies needed to restrain the patient.

He was restrained and placed in a holding cell.

He could barely restrain his anger.

The manufacturer took measures to restrain costs.

Recent Examples on the Web

After Harris was repeatedly shocked, he was restrained in the restraint chair and left alone in his cell for hours, the complaint says. —Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2024

The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at [phone] and offers assistance with e-filing for restraining orders at [phone]. —Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2024

The boy had been restrained inside the building by members of the public. —Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024

As the United States slowly emerged from these economic difficulties, inflation spikes are now resurrecting consumer fear and restraining buying power. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Prison staff Immediately responded and used physical force to restrain Keen and quell the attack on the officers, state prison officials said. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 12 Apr. 2024

Two years ago, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, France was the odd country out, still trying to engage Moscow in the hope of restraining Russian President Vladimir Putin. —Célia Belin, Foreign Affairs, 5 Apr. 2024

March 24, 2024 The Dodgers’ ownership does not wish to be restrained. —Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024

Here at last were the details of Cimino’s outsize ego and UA’s futile attempts to restrain it. —Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English restraynen, from Anglo-French restreindre, from Latin restringere to restrain, restrict, from re- + stringere to bind tight — more at strain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

restrain

verb

re·​strain ri-ˈstrān 

1

a

: to prevent from doing something

b

: to keep back : curb

restrain one's anger

c

: to limit or keep under control

restrain trade

2

: to take away liberty

especially : to place under arrest or restraint

restrainable

-ˈstrā-nə-bəl 

adjective

restrainer noun

Legal Definition

restrain

transitive verb

re·​strain ri-ˈstrān 

1

a

: to prevent from doing something see also restraining order at order sense 3b

b

: to limit, restrict, or keep under control

2

: to moderate or limit the force, effect, development, or full exercise of

3

: to deprive of liberty and especially of physical movement