restrain

verb

re·​strain ri-ˈstrān How to pronounce restrain (audio)
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 adjective
restrainer noun
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 These regimes broadly share the common goal of preventing AI’s misuse without restraining innovation in the process. Aziz Huq, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2024 Heard was arrested in San Francisco for allegedly violating a domestic violence restraining order and having an assault rifle in his car. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Some exceptions to the law include use while the owner and dog actively train, to restrain the dog in a public camping area, or while the dog is left in an open air truck bed. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2024 Origins of the dispute Carbone, a 39-year-old in-home care provider, filed her first request for a domestic violence restraining order against Vena in June 2020. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 During restraining order trials in Maryland, the respondent can accept the conditions of the petition — to stay away from people or places outlined by the petitioner — without admitting any guilt or wrongdoing. Katie Mettler, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 In 2000, 15-year-old William Edward Lee died from a head injury after being restrained by staff; 14-year-old Ian August died of hyperthermia at his wilderness therapy program two years later. Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 Yew’s direction is artfully restrained, as keeping with the novel and its highly repressed characters. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2024 Earlier this month, an American Airlines flight had to be diverted after a man tried to open one of the emergency exits and was restrained by fellow flyers with duct tape. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'restrain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of restrain was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near restrain

Cite this Entry

“Restrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restrain. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

restrain

verb
re·​strain ri-ˈstrān How to pronounce restrain (audio)
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 adjective
restrainer noun

Legal Definition

restrain

transitive verb
re·​strain ri-ˈstrān How to pronounce restrain (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on restrain

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