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
- constraint
- continence
- discipline
- discretion
- inhibition
- refrainment
- repression
- reserve
- self-command
- self-control
- self-restraint
- suppression
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 The Permian’s crop of private oil producers is already showing signs of restraint. 
Collin Eaton, WSJ, 19 Sep. 2022 That attitude of restraint paid off when Trump awarded Patterson a National Humanities Medal, the only one conferred on a novelist during Trump’s time in office. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2022 The Summit, delivers a performance of restraint and intense focus as Julio Strassera, a government attorney who masks his very real sense of panic with professional doggedness. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2022 Despite its firmer stance, some experts said the white paper’s overall message was one of restraint. Vivian Wang, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 Felix Frankfurter was an eloquent liberal champion of judicial restraint. Justin Driver, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 The Primetime Emmys will present awards in 118 categories this year, making the Grammys look like a model of restraint. Paul Grein, Billboard, 26 July 2022 These dishes, too, showed the kind of restraint that requires confidence in one’s ingredients and execution. New York Times, 21 July 2022 Emotion here comes from an intensity of restraint rather than from surrender or sensuality. Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 See More
Collin Eaton, WSJ, 19 Sep. 2022 That attitude of restraint paid off when Trump awarded Patterson a National Humanities Medal, the only one conferred on a novelist during Trump’s time in office. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2022 The Summit, delivers a performance of restraint and intense focus as Julio Strassera, a government attorney who masks his very real sense of panic with professional doggedness. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Sep. 2022 Despite its firmer stance, some experts said the white paper’s overall message was one of restraint. Vivian Wang, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 Felix Frankfurter was an eloquent liberal champion of judicial restraint. Justin Driver, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 The Primetime Emmys will present awards in 118 categories this year, making the Grammys look like a model of restraint. Paul Grein, Billboard, 26 July 2022 These dishes, too, showed the kind of restraint that requires confidence in one’s ingredients and execution. New York Times, 21 July 2022 Emotion here comes from an intensity of restraint rather than from surrender or sensuality. Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French restreinte, from restreindre
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing restraint
Kids Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint ri-ˈstrānt
1
: the act of stopping or holding back : the state of being stopped or held back
2
: a force or influence that stops or holds back
3
: control over thoughts or feelings
You're angry, but show 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)
restraint
noun
1
as in discipline
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others it will take a great deal of restraint to keep from telling her how ugly that dress is Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- discipline
- repression
- inhibition
- suppression
- composure
- constraint
- discretion
- self-restraint
- refrainment
- reserve
- self-control
- possession
- self-command
- continence
- control
- mastery
- willpower
- silence
- modesty
- reticence
- self-discipline
- will
- aloofness
- bashfulness
- distance
- detachedness
- self-mastery
- taciturnity
- self-containment
- self-censorship
- self-denial
- command
- shyness
- self-possession
- self-poise
- self-government
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unconstraint
- disinhibition
- incontinence
- indulgence
- gratification
- uninhibitedness
- frankness
- candor
- overindulgence
- bluntness
- unrestrainedness
- intemperance
- self-abandonment
- self-indulgence
- immoderacy
2
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice civil libertarians contend that the new laws place too many restraints on our constitutionally guaranteed rights Synonyms & Similar Words
- restriction
- constraint
- limitation
- curb
- condition
- prohibition
- circumscription
- stricture
- exception
- fetter
- stipulation
- check
- ban
- qualification
- reservation
- proviso
- strings
- proscription
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- freedom
- latitude
3
as in temperance
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions he shows very little restraint or tact when expressing his opinions about others Synonyms & Similar Words
- temperance
- composure
- willpower
- determination
- nerve
- self-restraint
- temperateness
- will
- self-control
- discipline
- self-discipline
- self-mastery
- self-containment
- self-possession
- self-command
- confidence
- continence
- moderation
- assurance
- moderateness
- self-government
- forbearance
- mastery
- abnegation
- avoidance
- eschewal
- control
- soberness
- self-abnegation
- abstention
- equanimity
- abstinence
- self-denial
- sobriety
- poise
- coolness
- discretion
- aplomb
- command
- self-confidence
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indulgence
- gratification
- overindulgence
- excessiveness
- intemperance
- weakness
- failing
- vice
- unrestraint
- self-indulgence
- shortcoming
- feebleness
- frailty
- unconstraint
- foible
- intemperateness
- demerit
- fault
- unreserve
- indiscipline
- immoderacy
- unreservedness