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
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
Johnson’s performance is humble rather than showy, an impressive feat of control and restraint.
—
Richard Lawson, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
The band’s renaissance man, Teranishi, has a knack for urgent, jagged melodies on lead guitar, but perhaps his greatest gift is restraint.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Each piece is designed with a tear-resistant interior, multiple pockets, and a garment restraint panel, which keeps your clothes in place during bumpy travel.
—Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
Creed’s newest masterwork blends smoky agarwood oil distilled from 80-year-old trees with ambergris and saffron, producing a scent that tempers oud’s somewhat polarizing character with a sense of restraint.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Richard Lawson, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
The band’s renaissance man, Teranishi, has a knack for urgent, jagged melodies on lead guitar, but perhaps his greatest gift is restraint.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Each piece is designed with a tear-resistant interior, multiple pockets, and a garment restraint panel, which keeps your clothes in place during bumpy travel.
—Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
Creed’s newest masterwork blends smoky agarwood oil distilled from 80-year-old trees with ambergris and saffron, producing a scent that tempers oud’s somewhat polarizing character with a sense of restraint.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share