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

Choose the Right Synonym for restrain

restrain, check, curb, bridle 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

check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Examples of restrain in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Only one autopsy in Palm Beach County noted that the man died while being restrained. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024

Beyond that, regulatory barriers continue to restrain the arrival of Parallel Systems’ cars themselves. —John Tamny, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Prosecutors have said Penny acted recklessly and negligently by restraining Neely in a chokehold for so long, even after Neely stopped moving. —Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024

During deliberations, jurors asked to rewatch bystander videos of Penny restraining Neely, responding officers’ body camera videos and video of Penny’s subsequent interview with two police detectives at a precinct. —Janelle Griffith, NBC News, 9 Dec. 2024

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 

1

a

: to prevent from doing something

b

: to keep back : curb

restrain one's anger

c

: to limit or keep under control

restrain trade

2

: to take away liberty

especially : to place under arrest or restraint

restrainable

-ˈstrā-nə-bəl 

adjective

restrainer noun

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