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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web The Fishers animal control officer issued warnings and three citations for failure to restrain and animal and the dogs were declared dangerous. 
John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 22 July 2022 Although Chappelle was not injured during the incident, video posted to social media immediately after the attack showed a group of individuals gathered on the Hollywood Bowl stage attempting to restrain — and possibly kicking — the suspect. Kat Bouza, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2022 The belts may not properly restrain a passenger in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 16 Aug. 2022 The belts may not properly restrain a passenger in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. CBS News, 16 Aug. 2022 The net effect, economists said, would likely restrain price increases. David Harrison, WSJ, 28 July 2022 That tool was found unconstitutional by a judge in Virginia last year, but that ruling doesn’t restrain police in other parts of the country. Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 30 June 2022 In turn, consumers restrain their spending habits at grocery and other retail stores, slashing demand and exacerbating an economic slowdown, experts said. ABC News, 23 June 2022 Still, despite Ortiz having seizures and bleeding from his head, officers stopped to consult each other and then restrain Ortiz's hands, placing chains on his legs and a belly belt around his midsection before carrying him to the jail clinic. Gloria Rebecca Gomez, The Arizona Republic, 13 June 2022 See More
John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 22 July 2022 Although Chappelle was not injured during the incident, video posted to social media immediately after the attack showed a group of individuals gathered on the Hollywood Bowl stage attempting to restrain — and possibly kicking — the suspect. Kat Bouza, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2022 The belts may not properly restrain a passenger in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 16 Aug. 2022 The belts may not properly restrain a passenger in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. CBS News, 16 Aug. 2022 The net effect, economists said, would likely restrain price increases. David Harrison, WSJ, 28 July 2022 That tool was found unconstitutional by a judge in Virginia last year, but that ruling doesn’t restrain police in other parts of the country. Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 30 June 2022 In turn, consumers restrain their spending habits at grocery and other retail stores, slashing demand and exacerbating an economic slowdown, experts said. ABC News, 23 June 2022 Still, despite Ortiz having seizures and bleeding from his head, officers stopped to consult each other and then restrain Ortiz's hands, placing chains on his legs and a belly belt around his midsection before carrying him to the jail clinic. Gloria Rebecca Gomez, The Arizona Republic, 13 June 2022 See More 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
restrained; restraining
1
: to keep from doing something
I wanted to speak, but restrained myself.
2
: to keep back : curb
He couldn't restrain his laughter.
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
restrain
verb
1
as in to regulate
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) the victim's family members were unable to restrain their emotions upon hearing the verdict Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- regulate
- control
- curb
- contain
- keep
- stifle
- suppress
- constrain
- tame
- inhibit
- measure
- govern
- hold
- rule
- stop
- bridle
- check
- repress
- pull in
- impede
- hinder
- strangle
- interrupt
- smother
- squelch
- muffle
- swallow
- obstruct
- rein (in)
- arrest
- hamper
- block
- handcuff
- silence
- hold back
- pocket
- mince
- muzzle
- choke (back)
- sink
- gag
- bottle (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lose
- liberate
- loosen
- express
- loose
- unleash
- take out
- vent
- air
2
as in to arrest
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law the suspect was restrained and taken to an undisclosed location Synonyms & Similar Words
- arrest
- seize
- grab
- apprehend
- detain
- capture
- nab
- commit
- pinch
- snatch
- confine
- imprison
- catch
- nail
- jail
- bust
- nick
- run in
- collar
- pull in
- trap
- bind
- pick up
- grapple
- handcuff
- snare
- hold
- snap (up)
- fetter
- incarcerate
- hook
- shackle
- land
- lock (up)
- get
- enchain
- immure
- bag
- trammel
- intern
- manacle
- remand
- rearrest
- jug
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- discharge
- liberate
- loosen
- emancipate
- release
- loose
- free
- spring
- unbind
- unchain
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of restrain are bridle, check, and curb. While all these words 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
The words bridle and restrain can be used in similar contexts, but bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.
bridle an impulse to throw the book down
The words check and restrain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.
trying to check government spending
Although the words curb and restrain have much in common, curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.
learn to curb your appetite
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