restraintnoun
uk/rɪˈstreɪnt/us/rɪˈstreɪnt/[ U ] calm and controlled behaviour:
He showed admirable restraint, and refused to be provoked.
The security forces exercised (= used) great restraint by not responding to hostile attacks and threats.
[ C or U ] something that limits the freedom of someone or something, or that prevents something from growing or increasing:
government spending restraints
Lack of space is the main restraint on the firm's expansion plans.
During the recession, the government opted for a policy of pay/wage restraint rather than a reduction in public investment.
keep/place sb under restraint
to keep a violent person in a way that prevents them from moving freely:
The two prisoners were kept under restraint while they were transported between prisons.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Self-control and moderation
- be in command (of yourself) idiom
- collect
- command
- constraint
- continent
- cut your coat according to your cloth idiom
- decorous
- dignified
- grip
- impervious
- lightly
- mind over matter idiom
- moderation
- moderation in all things idiom
- monastic
- restrict yourself to sth
- rise above sth
- self-controlled
- self-denial
- self-discipline
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Limiting and restricting
Putting people in prison