restrained

[ ri-streynd ]

/ rɪˈstreɪnd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR restrained ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

characterized by restraint: The actor gave a restrained performance.

Nearby words

Origin of restrained

First recorded in 1570–80; restrain + -ed²

Related formsre·strain·ed·ly, adverbnon·re·strained, adjective

re-strain

[ ree-streyn ]

/ riˈstreɪn /

verb (used with or without object)

to strain again.

Origin of re-strain

First recorded in 1870–75; re- + strain¹

Can be confusedre-strain restrain

restrain

[ ri-streyn ]

/ rɪˈstreɪn /

verb (used with object)

to hold back from action; keep in check or under control; repress: to restrain one's temper.

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

to limit or hamper the activity, growth, or effect of: to restrain trade with Cuba.

Origin of restrain

1350–1400; Middle English restreynen < Middle French restreindre < Latin restringere to bind back, bind fast, equivalent to re- re- + stringere to draw together; see strain¹

SYNONYMS FOR restrain

1. bridle, suppress, constrain. 2. restrict, circumscribe, confine, hinder, hamper.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR restrain ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR restrain

1. unbridle. 2. free, liberate.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR restrain ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

re·strain·a·ble, adjectivere·strain·a·bil·i·ty, nounre·strain·ing·ly, adverbo·ver·re·strain, verb (used with object)

pre·re·strain, verb (used with object)un·re·strain·a·ble, adjective

Can be confusedrefrain restrainre-strain restrain

Synonym study

1. See check¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for restrained

The Indian navy was so eager to strike it had to be restrained by the high command.
ICYMI: India-Pakistan Head for Nuke War|Bruce Riedel|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His movie producer character, Bobby Gould, is restrained but still crackling with energy.
London Laughs at Lindsay Lohan’s West End Debut|Nico Hines|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The worst part is that Focus on the Family is restrained compared to other Christian conservative child-rearing advice.
The Adrian Peterson Beating and the Christian Right's Love of Corporal Punishment|Amanda Marcotte|September 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We can use rooftop solar to alleviate areas where supply is restrained,” he said.
Panel Discussion|The Daily Beast|September 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He is in his late forties; intelligent, people say, but stiff and restrained, an eternal bachelor.
Adam Hochschild on Keeping Company With His Dying Father|Adam Hochschild|June 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He felt a burning curiosity to rise and look out, but he restrained it and did not move.
The Candidate|Joseph Alexander Altsheler
He trembled, but the shaman seized his arm and restrained him.
The Delight Makers|Adolf Bandelier
The story adds that they were restrained by their commander, and that their enforced sobriety proved the saving of the fort.
Historic Handbook of the Northern Tour|Francis Parkman
Ruth restrained a strong wish to tell him exactly what she had seen.
Ruth Fielding in the Great Northwest|Alice B. Emerson
A great longing took possession of her to step forward and speak to him, but she restrained herself almost by force.
Beatrice|H. Rider Haggard

British Dictionary definitions for restrained

restrained

/ (rɪˈstreɪnd) /

adjective

(of a person or person's manner) calm and unemotional

(of clothes, décor, etc) subtle and tasteful

Derived Formsrestrainedly (rɪˈstreɪnɪdlɪ), adverb

restrain

/ (rɪˈstreɪn) /

verb (tr)

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

to deprive (someone) of liberty, as by imprisonment

to limit or restrict

Derived Formsrestrainable, adjective

Word Origin for restrain

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for restrained

restrained

adj.

"repressed, kept under control," 1570s, past participle adjective from restrain.

restrain

mid-14c., from stem of Old French restreindre "press, push together; curb, bridle; bandage" (12c.), from Latin restringere "draw back tightly, confine, check" (see restriction). Related: Restrained; restraining.

That which we restrain we keep within limits; that which we restrict we keep within certain definite limits; that which we repress we try to put out of existence. [Century Dictionary, 1902]

re-strain

"strain again," 1874, from re- + strain (v.). Related: Re-strained; re-straining.

restrained

adjective

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of restrained

re-strain

verb (used with or without object)

Origin of re-strain

restrain

verb (used with object)

Origin of restrain

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for restrained

restrained

adjective

restrain

verb (tr)

Word Origin for restrain

restrained

restrain

re-strain