self-restraint

noun

self-re·​straint ˌself-ri-ˈstrānt How to pronounce self-restraint (audio)
: restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires : self-control
A bitter answer leaped to his tongue, but he was learning self-restraint.Somerset Maugham

Examples of self-restraint in a Sentence

she demonstrated an almost unnatural self-restraint during the fight we must practice self-restraint even with people who are deliberately rude
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Exercise self-restraint as Venus enters Aries, or impulse-buys can come back to bite you. USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025 President Joseph Aoun, Lebanon’s army commander until parliament elected him head of state on Jan. 9, called on the people of the south to exercise self-restraint and trust in the Lebanese military. Reuters, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2025 But previous presidents adhered to norms of self-restraint. Charlie Savage, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 Practice self-restraint as the moon clashes with Mars. USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for self-restraint 

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-restraint was in 1656

Dictionary Entries Near self-restraint

Cite this Entry

“Self-restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-restraint. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

self-restraint

noun
self-re·​straint
ˌsel-fri-ˈstrānt
: proper control over one's actions or emotions

More from Merriam-Webster on self-restraint

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