Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for restraint

restraint

[ ri-streynt ]

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; restrained; deprivation of liberty; confinement.

    Synonyms: imprisonment, incarceration, restriction, circumscription

    Antonyms: liberty

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


restraint

/ 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
“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


Discover More

Other Words From

  • over·re·straint noun
  • prere·straint noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of restraint1

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of restraint1

C15: from Old French restreinte , from restreindre to restrain
Discover More

Example Sentences

They placed him in restraints and took him to the Central Jail in downtown San Diego.

When Romeo observed how the animals reacted to extended periods of stress — 30 minutes of restraint each day for seven days — the pattern was different.

After the animals were released from the restraints, stress hormones surged higher in young rats than in adults.

The rats endured the 30-minute restraint each day for seven days.

It’s navigating the balance between amazing graphics and technical restraints and finding a way to design within these limits.

The restraint is banned according to NYPD regulations but it is not illegal.

The giant bear flicked his ears and, with unmistakable restraint, swung away and disappeared into the trees.

He would have probably done both in much the same way: with elegance and restraint, yet radically.

The scene is written with a matter-of-fact restraint that lends it great power.

Yet responses so far have been muted, with some activists calling for restraint.

This is often of great advantage, as the strength of repose is expressed to a great degree in restraint of movement.

“This accompanied it,” said Winifred, with a restraint that might have warned her hearer of the passion it strove to conceal.

Freedom and courtesy were so well balanced in this society, that little restraint was put upon conversation.

The restraint laid upon her was becoming more than she could bear, and she rebelled against it.

In time of trouble families generally like to be alone, all in all to each other; and a visitor is felt a constant restraint.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


restraining orderrestraint of trade