RESTRAIN Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'restrain' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of restrain are bridle , check , and curb . While all these words mean "to hold back from or control in doing something," restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes. // restrained themselves from laughing

Q: When could 'bridle' be used to replace 'restrain'?

The words bridle and restrain can be used in similar contexts, but bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in. // bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Q: When can 'check' be used instead of 'restrain'?

The words check and restrain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus. // trying to check government spending

Q: Where would 'curb' be a reasonable alternative to 'restrain'?

Although the words curb and restrain have much in common, curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking. // learn to curb your appetite

restrain

verb

ri-ˈstrān

Definition of restrain next

as in to regulate

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) the victim's family members were unable to restrain their emotions upon hearing the verdict

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to arrest

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law the suspect was restrained and taken to an undisclosed location

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb restrain contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of restrain are bridle, check, and curb. While all these words mean "to hold back from or control in doing something," restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

When could bridle be used to replace restrain?

The words bridle and restrain can be used in similar contexts, but bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

When can check be used instead of restrain?

The words check and restrain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

Where would curb be a reasonable alternative to restrain?

Although the words curb and restrain have much in common, curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of restrain Patrick Brown, a Chicago Bears fan, and Collin Vincent, who roots for the Seattle Seahawks, filed a 14-page complaint in New York, alleging the league is restraining engagement between teams and players on the social media site. —

Ryan Morik, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025 Their ideal use case seems to be boss-crushing attacks that are best unleashed when a target is restrained or stunned. —

Gabriel Zamora, PCMAG, 11 Feb. 2025 Nice that the passengers helped to restrain the guy! —

Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025 Publicly, there’s been no indication that Tesla’s board of directors is making any effort to restrain Musk or modify his comments on social media. —

Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for restrain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrain

Verb

Lawmakers again failed to act on the issue early this year, despite Gov. JB Pritzker’s call for a law to crack down on hemp sales, and an alternate bill to license and regulate hemp stores.

— Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
Monitoring the rodents' brains, the team found that a group of appetite and regulating nerve cells called the pro-opiomelanocortin (PMOC) neurons lit up as soon as the mice were given sugar, and enabled their appetite.

— Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025