restrain

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb restrain contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of restrain are bridle, check, and curb. While all these words mean "to hold back from or control in doing something," restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

When could bridle be used to replace restrain?

The words bridle and restrain can be used in similar contexts, but bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

When can check be used instead of restrain?

The words check and restrain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

Where would curb be a reasonable alternative to restrain?

Although the words curb and restrain have much in common, curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of restrain Where Welch pursued relentless growth and shareholder value maximization, Chouinard deliberately restrained Patagonia's expansion. Kyle Westaway, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Other patrons of Charlotte's Room rushed in to restrain the man, who was eventually escorted out. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Another guard rushed over to restrain him. Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025 Wilson's dying body was pulled inside the home by the family and restrained with his own handcuffs. Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for restrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrain
Verb
  • Your liver also plays the very sweet role of regulating your blood sugar levels by releasing glucose and storing glycogen when appropriate.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Among its 14 plant oils are argan kernel and rice bran, which regulate sebum production and loosen dead skin cells, respectively—and, together, leave your pores looking significantly smaller and your skin significantly smoother.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • British police have arrested three people on suspicion of assisting Russian intelligence services, highlighting the threat posed to NATO allies as Russia pursues hybrid warfare against Western powers.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Scott, McDonald and Neary were arrested, but Rackauckas and a Fullerton police detective persuaded Neary to testify against the other two men, according to the motion.
    Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Democrats are doing fairly well in the generic congressional ballot, which tests which party voters prefer to control Congress.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The team has now built the first transistor-like switch that controls exciton flow.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Leaders must continuously renew and reinvent their strategies to seize opportunities and stay ahead of the curve.
    Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • With each load seized, the cartel would take another bite off its own tail.
    Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This report contains results from surveys and population estimation methods conducted by Fish and Wildlife, Canadian Wildlife Service and numerous state and provincial partners.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
  • And while hair perfumes are typically less concentrated and contain less alcohol (to prevent dryness), our testers appreciated that the scent lingers all day long.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Plus, grab knife sets and a nifty electric can opener to streamline your cooking.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
  • As Jey checked on Jimmy, LA Knight grabbed the steel chair and teased hitting Jey Uso.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The two defended their actions, including jamming a paper shredder with incriminating documents, as being necessary to secure the release of American hostages being held in Lebanon and to curb Soviet expansionism.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Japan in particular is a signatory to international efforts to curb spyware abuse, including the Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware and the Pall Mall Process Code of Practice for States.
    Vas Panagiotopoulos, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • He was apprehended hours later, the FBI confirmed to Fox News.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The 1850 version mandated that the federal government actively help slave catchers track and apprehend people who’d escaped slavery.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Restrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrain. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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