restraint

American  

[ri-streynt] / rɪˈstreɪnt /

noun

1. a restraining action or influence.

   freedom from restraint.

2. Sometimes restraints. a means of or device for restraining, as a harness for the body.

3. the act of restraining, holding back, controlling, or checking.

4. the state or fact of being restrained; deprivation of liberty; confinement.

   Synonyms:

   incarceration, imprisonment, restriction, circumscription

   Antonyms:

   liberty

5. constraint or reserve in feelings, behavior, etc.

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restraint British  

/ rɪˈstreɪnt /

noun

1. the ability to control or moderate one's impulses, passions, etc

   to show restraint

2. the act of restraining or the state of being restrained

3. something that restrains; restriction

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Other Word Forms

• overrestraint
  noun
• prerestraint
  noun

Etymology

Origin of restraint

1350–1400; Middle English restreinte < Middle French restrainte, noun use of feminine past participle of restraindre to restrain

Explanation

Restraint is the act of holding something back. For example, if you exercise restraint over your emotions, you won't burst out into tears in public. As you may have guessed from its similar spelling, the word restraint comes from the verb restrain, which in turn comes from the Latin word restringere, meaning "draw back tightly, confine, check." When talking about an object, a restraint is a device used to maintain control of something. For example, if your leg is operated on, the doctors will use a restraint to hold it still.

Example Sentences

Economists expect measures including tax reforms and spending restraint to support fiscal sustainability and help contain inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

CNN’s Brian Stelter, who wrote a book documenting the president’s war on journalism in meticulous detail, praised the president for his restraint.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

Another witness noted he felt uncomfortable carrying out the restraint and that it was not right to do so, but felt he could not raise a concern with the other nurses.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

The piece suggests this physical restraint conveyed an image of a cautious functionary rather than a dynamic leader capable of governing California during turbulent times.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Was their restraint a strategy to exhaust the volunteers?

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• ban
• constraint
• curb
• embargo
• limit
• prohibition
• reduction
• restriction