restrained
Americanadjective
adjective
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(of a person or person's manner) calm and unemotional
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(of clothes, décor, etc) subtle and tasteful
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of restrained
Explanation
Use the adjective restrained to describe something that's kept under control, such as strong emotion or even physical movement. If you're angry but you don't want it to show, you might speak in a restrained manner. Restrained can describe someone or something that is physically immobilized or held back. For example, an angry crowd might have to be restrained by riot police. Or it can mean a different kind of holding back and describe something that is understated and discreet. Actresses who walk the red carpet often avoid attention-getting gowns in favor of more restrained outfits in times of war or national crisis.
Vocabulary lists containing restrained
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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 5
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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.
The eatery opened inauspiciously in 1978, a modest, shockingly restrained space in Beverly Hills’ elite golden triangle.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026
The 43-year-old male driver of the vehicle was restrained by local barber Ricky Jefferies -- now widely hailed as a "hero".
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026
Kenya's Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen told the BBC that the police action had been "restrained" after the crowd starting throwing stones.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
It’s also showing a relatively restrained level of engagement in November’s general elections for the U.S.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
She was so quiet and thin, so restrained.
From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
