restraint

American  

[ri-streynt] / rɪˈstreɪnt /

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:

   incarceration, imprisonment, restriction, circumscription

   Antonyms:

   liberty

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

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restraint British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• overrestraint noun
• prerestraint noun

Etymology

Origin of restraint

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

Example Sentences

And the lack of churn has also been credited to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who by most accounts has enforced significant restraint from a famously chaotic leader.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

Pakistan is one of China's closest partners in the region and Beijing has called for "calm and restraint" in Islamabad's conflict with Afghanistan.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

It requires restraint, patience and a willingness to confront ideas that don't affirm one’s own perspective.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

The World Health Organisation said that the conflict was at a "perilous stage" and called for restraint.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Through it all, Attorney General Palmer continued to practice restraint, and soon he paid the price for it.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• ban
• constraint
• curb
• embargo
• limit
• prohibition
• reduction
• restriction