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

Other Words From

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of restraint¹

C15: from Old French restreinte , from restreindre to restrain

Example Sentences

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

From Voice of 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.

From Science News

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

From Science News

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

From Science News For Students

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

From Singularity Hub 

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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