restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt 
1
a
: an act of restraining : the state of being restrained
b(1)
: a means of restraining : a restraining force or influence
(2)
: a device that restricts movement
a restraint for children riding in cars
2
: a control over the expression of one's emotions or thoughts
Synonyms
Examples of restraint in a Sentence
Make sure the child safety restraint is in place.
The prisoner was placed in restraints.
His angry response showed a lack of restraint.
The government has acted with restraint in dealing with this crisis.
Recent Examples on the Web
World leaders from the Middle East to the U.S. urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show restraint in the face of the Iranian attacks, but the Israeli leader and other top officials said the country would have little choice but to respond.
—
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 19 Apr. 2024
The radio silence was notable after weeks of U.S. officials publicly urging Israel to show restraint.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024
Opening Thursday's talks, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the question of sanctions on Iran would be addressed as the West looked for ways to penalize Tehran for its missile attack on Israel, but also reiterated Western calls for Israel to show restraint.
—Fox News, 18 Apr. 2024
With the majority of the league’s teams picking in front of them — some of them picking multiple times ahead of the Panthers — Morgan and the front office will need show restraint with their board.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2024
Israel is weighing its response, as the United States and Western allies urge restraint amid concerns about escalation.
—Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
That's not a criticism — her restraint is part of her honesty and her power in everything from Melancholia to The Power of the Dog.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
County patients wind up in mechanical restraints at high rates, partly because of their frustration at being locked in for months or years.
—Alex Barnard, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
Compensating for Scott’s restraint is the camera, a wildly expressive agent that quickly establishes itself as the show’s biggest character (and only true artist).
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 19 Apr. 2024
The radio silence was notable after weeks of U.S. officials publicly urging Israel to show restraint.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024
Opening Thursday's talks, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the question of sanctions on Iran would be addressed as the West looked for ways to penalize Tehran for its missile attack on Israel, but also reiterated Western calls for Israel to show restraint.
—Fox News, 18 Apr. 2024
With the majority of the league’s teams picking in front of them — some of them picking multiple times ahead of the Panthers — Morgan and the front office will need show restraint with their board.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2024
Israel is weighing its response, as the United States and Western allies urge restraint amid concerns about escalation.
—Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
That's not a criticism — her restraint is part of her honesty and her power in everything from Melancholia to The Power of the Dog.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
County patients wind up in mechanical restraints at high rates, partly because of their frustration at being locked in for months or years.
—Alex Barnard, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
Compensating for Scott’s restraint is the camera, a wildly expressive agent that quickly establishes itself as the show’s biggest character (and only true artist).
—Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'restraint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near restraint
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
1
: the act of restraining : the state of being restrained
held in restraint
2
: a restraining force or influence
3
: control over one's behavior
act with restraint
Medical Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
: a device that restricts movement
restraints such as straitjackets for violent patients
Legal Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
1
a
: an act or fact of restraining see also prior restraint
b
: the state of being restrained
2
a
: a means of restraining
b
: a device that restricts movement (as of prisoners or violent psychiatric patients)
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