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
Examples of restraint in a Sentence
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
Winner of a screenwriting prize at Cannes’ Critic Week, JULIE KEEPS QUIET is a masterclass in restraint, revealing just enough to depict Julie’s sometimes painful silence as a potentially vital means of survival.
—
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024
In another case, a 28-year-old experiencing a mental health crisis was placed in restraints but not closely monitored.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2024
Not coincidentally, at a time when Brazil was under the grip of a brutal military dictatorship, these young artists yearned to be free from stylistic restraints and genre expectations.
—Ernesto Lechner, SPIN, 10 Sep. 2024
Research indicates that financial health is influenced by active saving, manageable borrowing, spending restraint and financial literacy.
—Ian Wilding, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for restraint 
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024
In another case, a 28-year-old experiencing a mental health crisis was placed in restraints but not closely monitored.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2024
Not coincidentally, at a time when Brazil was under the grip of a brutal military dictatorship, these young artists yearned to be free from stylistic restraints and genre expectations.
—Ernesto Lechner, SPIN, 10 Sep. 2024
Research indicates that financial health is influenced by active saving, manageable borrowing, spending restraint and financial literacy.
—Ian Wilding, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for restraint
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'restraint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near restraint
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
restraint
noun
re·straint
ri-ˈstrānt
1
: the act of restraining : the state of being restrained
held in restraint
2
: a restraining force or influence
3
: control over one's behavior
act with 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)
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