restrain

[ri-streyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to hold back from action; keep in check or under control; repress.

   to restrain one's temper.

   Synonyms: constrain, suppress, curb, control, bridle
   Antonyms: unbridle

2. to deprive of liberty, as by arrest or the like.

   Synonyms: hamper, hinder, circumscribe, restrict, imprison, confine
   Antonyms: release, liberate, free

3. to limit or hamper the activity, growth, or effect of.

   to restrain trade with Cuba.

restrain

/ rɪˈstreɪn /

verb

1. to hold (someone) back from some action, esp by force

2. to deprive (someone) of liberty, as by imprisonment

3. to limit or restrict

Other Word Forms

• restrainable adjective
• restrainability noun
• restrainingly adverb
• overrestrain verb (used with object)
• prerestrain verb (used with object)
• unrestrainable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of restrain¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of restrain¹

C14 restreyne , from Old French restreindre , from Latin rēstringere to draw back tightly, from _re- + stringere to draw, bind; see _strain ¹

Synonym Study

See check ¹.

Example Sentences

Over the weekend, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order requiring immigration officials to remove the guards watching over Bayron Rovidio Marin, take off the handcuffs and leave him unrestrained.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

According to the police officer who questioned Mas'ud, the facility was "well run", the prisoners were not restrained and there were no signs of torture or coercion.

Read more on BBC

Witnesses also reported that children, some of whom were not wearing clothes, were restrained.

Read more on Salon

District Judge Karin Immergut broadened a temporary restraining order that had blocked Oregon’s National Guard from being used by the federal government.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The next day, she issued a temporary restraining order against him deploying California's National Guard in Portland instead.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• confine 
• constrain 
• control 
• curb 
• curtail 
• detain 
• deter 
• govern 
• hamper 
• hinder 
• inhibit 
• keep down 
• kill 
• limit 
• prevent 
• repress 
• restrict 
• subdue 
• suppress