restrain
Americanverb
-
to hold (someone) back from some action, esp by force
-
to deprive (someone) of liberty, as by imprisonment
-
to limit or restrict
Related Words
See check 1.
Other Word Forms
- overrestrain verb (used with object)
- prerestrain verb (used with object)
- restrainability noun
- restrainable adjective
- restrainingly adverb
- unrestrainable adjective
Etymology
Origin of restrain
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English restreynen, from Middle French restreindre, from Latin restringere “to bind back, bind fast”; equivalent to re- + strain 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A new pain-free technique for restraining prisoners is being introduced across Scotland's jails.
From BBC
Nevada won a temporary restraining order against Kalshi, and Arizona filed criminal charges against its parent companies.
Guardiola's celebration for the opening goal was only slightly less restrained than his jig down the line for City's second.
From BBC
It was not immediately clear when a judge might rule on the request for a restraining order.
From Los Angeles Times
A coalition of eight states filed a motion for a temporary restraining order to stop the combination of Nexstar Media and Tegna after the formerly rival broadcasters closed on their $6.2 billion merger.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
