restrain
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to hold (someone) back from some action, esp by force
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to deprive (someone) of liberty, as by imprisonment
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to limit or restrict
Synonym Usage
See check 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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restrainabilitynoun
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overrestrainverb (used with object)
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prerestrainverb (used with object)
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restrainableadjective
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unrestrainableadjective
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restraininglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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restrainsimple
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restrainssimple
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have restrainedperfect
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has restrainedperfect
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am restrainingprogressive
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are restrainingprogressive
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is restrainingprogressive
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have been restrainingperfect progressive
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has been restrainingperfect progressive
Past
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restrainedsimple
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had restrainedperfect
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was restrainingprogressive
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were restrainingprogressive
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had been restrainingperfect progressive
Future
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
Explanation
Restrain means to hold yourself back, which is exactly what you'd have to do if, after weeks of dieting, you found yourself face to face with a dessert case filled with pies, cakes, and cookies. Restrain can also mean to restrict or hold back someone else, to prevent someone from doing what they're intending to do. Prison guards have to restrain a prisoner who is trying to attack one of his fellow inmates. That prisoner might even be put in handcuffs — a kind of restraint. You can restrain yourself, for example if you're watching a Broadway show and suddenly feel the urge to sing along. Your fellow audience members would be grateful for your restraint, especially if you've got a terrible voice.
Vocabulary lists containing restrain
List 10
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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.
See Examples For:
Somehow, he managed to restrain himself from bending to one knee and kissing the president’s ring.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Pianese argued that the fact the two officers had to use pepper spray and needed the help of a civilian to restrain Fakir showed that the use of force had not been excessive.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
It may directly reduce oxidative stress while also increasing mitochondrial microproteins that help restrain damaging cellular pathways.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 18, 2026
The two sides are set to resume peace talks intended to strike a long-term deal to end hostilities and restrain Tehran’s nuclear program.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026
A code that would instill discipline, restrain passion, and order his steps.
From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore
Ultimately, the goal is growth that is less dependent on leverage combined with regulation that restrains excess without choking activity.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 8, 2026
Also speaking to lawmakers, BOE Chief Economist Huw Pill said he isn’t convinced that inflation will settle at 2% if the key rate is cut to a level that no longer restrains economic activity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 24, 2026
More aggressive fine print restrains other follies like the bond portfolio mismatches that undid California-based Silicon Valley Bank two years ago, says Davide Oneglia, director of European and global macro at TS Lombard.
From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2025
The order restrains the defendants from granting access to Treasury Department records containing personally identifiable or confidential information to special government employees, political appointees, and other employees from outside the department.
From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2025
Kat restrains my hand and stoops over him.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
Globalization, cheap manufacturing, abundant savings and restrained wage growth all combined to drive down inflation and, ultimately, interest rates.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
Santana needed to be restrained by his teammates as he continued to yell at Caballero.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
Discovery are “temporarily enjoined and restrained from closing or consummating the transaction or taking any steps, directly or indirectly, to integrate or consolidate their operations pursuant to the transaction.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
Only after the prey is fully restrained does the spider approach and wrap it in silk.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 26, 2026
Charlie is confused at being restrained this way.
From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes
Martínez-Olguín on Thursday extended the restraining order for another 14 days — until Aug. 17 — in recognition that more time was needed for the case to get rolling.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Federal Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín said she would decide by next Wednesday whether to issue a temporary restraining order that would pause the blockbuster Hollywood deal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
Discovery WBD -3.89%decrease; red down pointing triangle hit its first major speed bump Monday when a federal judge in California granted a temporary restraining order that prohibits the companies from closing the deal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
US district judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín issued the temporary restraining order on Monday following legals arguments heard last week.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
Will felt himself grow dizzy, and Lyra was restraining Pantalaimon, hare-formed himself in sympathy, who was bucking and snapping in her arms.
From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman
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.
