Someone who is restrained is very calm and unemotional.
In the circumstances he felt he'd been very restrained.
Livy thought Caroline's greeting seemed a little restrained.
Synonyms: controlled, reasonable, moderate, self-controlled More Synonyms of restrained
2. adjective
If you describe someone's clothes or the decorations in a house as restrained, you mean that you like them because they are simple and not too brightly-coloured.
[approval]
Her black suit was restrained and expensive.
Synonyms: unobtrusive, subtle, muted, discreet More Synonyms of restrained
restrained in British English
(rɪˈstreɪnd)
adjective
1.
(of a person or person's manner) calm and unemotional
2.
(of clothes, décor, etc) subtle and tasteful
Derived forms
restrainedly (rɪˈstreɪnɪdlɪ)
adverb
restrained in American English
(rɪˈstreɪnd)
adjective
characterized by restraint; exercising, or showing the results of, self-discipline or rational control; controlled
Examples of 'restrained' in a sentence
restrained
Other contributors to the programme are less restrained.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
His own approach has been much less restrained.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This week we look at two new models promising fun in a more restrained style.
The Sun (2008)
Most crucial to the success of the result was the restrained style of caricature.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He stood on the edge of his technical area for the entire match making points in a restrained manner.
The Sun (2014)
Tempting as it is to plunge into these, adopt a more restrained approach.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
For a more restrained approach, try coating your risers in a single shade.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But for the most part these were restrained performances, moving where angels feared to tread.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The language is distilled, elegant and restrained.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
Her restrained and utterly elegant food uses few ingredients, all impeccable.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Their graffiti is less restrained.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The scars from that experience have healed but you could still see them in the rider's relatively restrained reaction to victory.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It was a brilliant bit of cooking: simple, restrained and utterly delicious.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
I would be less restrained.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This first picture of the 508 shows the more restrained and elegant front of all the firm's new cars.
The Sun (2010)
These are very carefully controlled poems, but some of them would benefit from being less restrained: too many are too slight or quiet for their own good.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
In other languages
restrained
British English: restrained ADJECTIVE
Someone who is restrained is very calm and unemotional.
In the circumstances he felt he'd been very restrained.
American English: restrained
Brazilian Portuguese: comedido
Chinese: 克制的
European Spanish: prudente
French: mesuré
German: beherrscht
Italian: controllato
Japanese: 控えめな
Korean: 자제하는
European Portuguese: comedido
Latin American Spanish: prudente
1 (adjective)
Definition
not displaying emotion
He felt he'd been very restrained.
Synonyms
controlled
reasonable
moderate
He was an easy-going man of very moderate views.
self-controlled
soft
a soft breeze
calm
The normally calm waters of Mururoa lagoon heaved and frothed.
steady
mild
The area is famous for its mild winters.
muted
reticent
She is so reticent about her achievements.
temperate
His final report was more temperate than earlier ones.
undemonstrative
Lady Ainslie is an undemonstrative woman.
Opposites
wild
,
fiery
,
unrestrained
,
intemperate
,
hot-headed
2 (adjective)
Her black suit was restrained and expensive.
Synonyms
unobtrusive
He managed the factory with unobtrusive efficiency.
subtle
subtle shades of brown
muted
He likes sober muted colours.
discreet
She is wearing discreet jewelery.
subdued
The lighting was subdued.
understated
tasteful
The decor is tasteful and restrained.
unostentatious
quiet
They dress in quiet colours.
Opposites
loud
,
over-the-top
,
tasteless
,
garish
,
self-indulgent
Additional synonyms
in the sense of calm
Definition
(of weather) windless
The normally calm waters of Mururoa lagoon heaved and frothed.
Synonyms
still,
quiet,
smooth,
peaceful,
mild,
serene,
tranquil,
placid,
halcyon,
balmy,
restful,
windless,
pacific
in the sense of discreet
Definition
unobtrusive
She is wearing discreet jewelery.
Synonyms
unobtrusive,
modest,
subtle,
restrained,
subdued,
low-key,
unassuming,
unpretentious,
inconspicuous,
unnoticeable,
unostentatious
in the sense of mild
Definition
gentle or temperate in character, climate, or behaviour
The area is famous for its mild winters.
Synonyms
temperate,
warm,
calm,
moderate,
clement,
tranquil,
balmy
Nearby words of
restrained
restoration
restore
restrain
restrained
restraint
restrict
restricted
Related terms of
restrained
restrain
Synonyms of 'restrained'
restrained
Explore 'restrained' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of moderate
Definition
not extreme or excessive
He was an easy-going man of very moderate views.
Synonyms
mild,
reasonable,
controlled,
limited,
cool,
calm,
steady,
modest,
restrained,
deliberate,
sober,
middle-of-the-road,
temperate,
judicious,
peaceable,
equable
in the sense of muted
Definition
(of an emotion or action) subdued or restrained
He likes sober muted colours.
Synonyms
subdued,
subtle,
faded,
delicate,
restrained,
discreet,
low-key,
pastel,
understated,
toned down
in the sense of quiet
Definition
not showy
They dress in quiet colours.
Synonyms
subdued,
conservative,
plain,
sober,
simple,
modest,
restrained,
unassuming,
unpretentious,
unobtrusive
in the sense of reticent
Definition
not willing to say or tell much
She is so reticent about her achievements.
Synonyms
uncommunicative,
reserved,
secretive,
unforthcoming,
quiet,
silent,
restrained,
taciturn,
tight-lipped,
unspeaking,
close-lipped,
mum
in the sense of soft
Definition
(of a breeze or climate) temperate, mild, or pleasant
a soft breeze
Synonyms
mild,
delicate,
caressing,
temperate,
balmy
in the sense of subdued
The lighting was subdued.
Synonyms
dim (informal),
soft,
subtle,
muted,
shaded,
low-key,
understated,
toned down,
unobtrusive
in the sense of subtle
Definition
(of a colour, taste, or smell) delicate or faint
subtle shades of brown
Synonyms
muted,
soft,
faint,
subdued,
low-key,
toned down
in the sense of tasteful
Definition
having or showing good social or aesthetic taste
The decor is tasteful and restrained.
Synonyms
refined,
stylish,
elegant,
cultured,
beautiful,
smart,
charming,
polished,
delicate,
artistic,
handsome,
cultivated,
discriminating,
exquisite,
graceful,
harmonious,
urbane,
fastidious,
aesthetically pleasing,
in good taste
in the sense of temperate
Definition
mild or moderate in quality or character
His final report was more temperate than earlier ones.