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
But those seeking restraint and something more clever than the usual carnage will find this talky (in a good way) creeper offers more to chew on than the genre norm.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Perched on a drum riser, Carey balanced forcefulness and restraint, heaviness and subtlety, density and spaciousness.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2024
Broadly, Turkish cuisine celebrates restraint and richness–the sparkle of sumac, the quiet depth of pomegranate molasses, all lending depth to the most basic of ingredients.
—Lela London, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Jerusalem then responded to Western calls for restraint by hitting Iran’s air defenses and destroying part of an S-300 long-range air defense system.
—Greg Norman, Fox News, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for restraint
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Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French restreinte, from restreindre
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of restraint was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing restraint
Dictionary Entries Near restraint
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Kids 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)
More from Merriam-Webster on restraint
Nglish: Translation of restraint for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of restraint for Arabic Speakers
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