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
Now, three of the country’s biggest billionaires — Bernard Arnault, Francoise Bettencourt Meyers and Francois Pinault — are seeing their fortunes dwindle as restraint replaces indulgence.
—
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Europe, 28 Oct. 2024
But neither restraint nor elegance was on hand with a recent job, for which she was tasked with re-creating the pouffy locks of the nineteen-eighties.
—Bruce Handy, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
But at Lupi & Iris, helmed by James Beard Award-winner Adam Seigel, restraint is an art, and the food, inspired by the French and Italian Riviera, needn’t be flashy nor festooned to be fawned over.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
He was charged with unlawful restraint, assault causing bodily injury to a family member, prohibited weapon possession and tampering with evidence, court records show.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for restraint 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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about these examples.
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Europe, 28 Oct. 2024
But neither restraint nor elegance was on hand with a recent job, for which she was tasked with re-creating the pouffy locks of the nineteen-eighties.
—Bruce Handy, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024
But at Lupi & Iris, helmed by James Beard Award-winner Adam Seigel, restraint is an art, and the food, inspired by the French and Italian Riviera, needn’t be flashy nor festooned to be fawned over.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
He was charged with unlawful restraint, assault causing bodily injury to a family member, prohibited weapon possession and tampering with evidence, court records show.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for restraint
Dictionary Entries Near restraint
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 8 Nov. 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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