self-restraint

noun

self-re·​straint ˌself-ri-ˈstrānt How to pronounce self-restraint (audio)
: restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires : self-control
A bitter answer leaped to his tongue, but he was learning self-restraint.Somerset Maugham

Examples of self-restraint in a Sentence

she demonstrated an almost unnatural self-restraint during the fight we must practice self-restraint even with people who are deliberately rude
Recent Examples on the Web
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. Send us feedback about these examples.
For once, the candidate exhibited real self-restraint by not mentioning the film. Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2024 Countries will exercise self-restraint, accepting normative constraints to protect their greater interests. Tanisha M. Fazal, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024 Thank God and the NYPD for their hard work and self-restraint during a sad, complicated and necessary intervention. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2024 Their lack of self-restraint would result in an explosion. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for self-restraint 

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-restraint was in 1656

Dictionary Entries Near self-restraint

Cite this Entry

“Self-restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-restraint. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-restraint

noun
self-re·​straint
ˌsel-fri-ˈstrānt
: proper control over one's actions or emotions

More from Merriam-Webster on self-restraint

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