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
The restraint and understatement are still very present, though.
—
Nick Remsen, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2025
Although leaders want full control over their own choices, achieving India’s objectives often requires them to exercise restraint or make tradeoffs.
—Tanvi Madan, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Those restraints are lawful because the NFL collectively bargains them with the NFL players association.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Varela's bond is set at $200,000 for the tampering with evidence charge, $40,000 for the assault against a family member charge, and $5,000 for the unlawful restraint charge.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Nick Remsen, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2025
Although leaders want full control over their own choices, achieving India’s objectives often requires them to exercise restraint or make tradeoffs.
—Tanvi Madan, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Those restraints are lawful because the NFL collectively bargains them with the NFL players association.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Varela's bond is set at $200,000 for the tampering with evidence charge, $40,000 for the assault against a family member charge, and $5,000 for the unlawful restraint charge.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 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 20 Dec. 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)
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