self-restraint

[self-ri-streynt, self-]

noun

1. restraint imposed on one by oneself; self-control.

self-restraint

noun

1. restraint imposed by oneself on one's own feelings, desires, etc

Other Word Forms

• self-restrained adjective
• self-restraining adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-restraint¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

In a statement, Saudi Arabia, which signed a mutual defence pact with Pakistan last month, called for self-restraint and avoidance of escalation between Islamabad and Kabul.

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To trust that beef, salt, pepper, and a little self-restraint can deliver something not just passable, but sublime.

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Under the law, if a defendant charged with murder can prove they genuinely lost the ability to exercise self-restraint due to a "qualifying trigger" then they are guilty of manslaughter.

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As the Conservative Party's leadership contest continues, Lord Kirkhope urged officials of all political stripes "to be careful and exercise self-restraint" with language.

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Named after a 1960 Supreme Court case, the Petite Policy is a self-restraint that the Justice Department imposes on its own prosecutors concerning conduct that is already the subject of a state or local prosecution.

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Related Words

• moderation