restrained

[ri-streynd]

adjective

1. characterized by restraint.

   The actor gave a restrained performance.

Other Word Forms

• restrainedly adverb
• nonrestrained adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of restrained¹

First recorded in 1570–80; restrain + -ed ²

Example Sentences

In “Floyd Collins,” Jeremy Jordan met the challenge of bringing vital life to a character on the verge of losing his—a cave explorer trapped underground—in director Tina Landau’s restrained but deeply moving production.

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The restrained growth means inflation outpaced house prices for a fourth straight month.

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I try to raise my hand, only to be reminded that I’m tightly restrained.

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Once forced aboard the ships, the enslaved people were restrained with shackles and branded with hot irons.

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He clamped his bulky hands around Roz’s arms and said, “I have restrained the prisoner.”

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Related Words

• discreet 
• laid-back 
• mild 
• muted 
• reasonable 
• reticent 
• subdued 
• tasteful 
• unobtrusive