1
as in to regulate
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
the victim's family members were unable to restrain their emotions upon hearing the verdict
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to arrest
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the suspect was restrained and taken to an undisclosed location
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The pair were also convicted of confining, restraining and debarking dogs, WBNS-TV reports.
—
Nicole Acosta, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
Recent decades have seen presidents from both parties erode laws and norms meant to restrain their power, increasingly without the sort of pushback from members of their own party that restrained their predecessors (including FDR).
—Lawrence Norden, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
Moments later, another body camera captures the inmate restrained in handcuffs being carried face down by three officers — two at his arms, another at his legs — through the entryway.
—Thomas C. Zambito, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
Mary got another domestic violence restraining order on Dec. 30, an order the court extended on Jan. 22.
—David J. Neal and, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restrain
Nicole Acosta, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
Recent decades have seen presidents from both parties erode laws and norms meant to restrain their power, increasingly without the sort of pushback from members of their own party that restrained their predecessors (including FDR).
—Lawrence Norden, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
Moments later, another body camera captures the inmate restrained in handcuffs being carried face down by three officers — two at his arms, another at his legs — through the entryway.
—Thomas C. Zambito, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
Mary got another domestic violence restraining order on Dec. 30, an order the court extended on Jan. 22.
—David J. Neal and, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrain
Verb
-
Colleagues in a healthy workplace regulate what’s acceptable and what grates with thousands of social cues that most don’t consciously register.—
Anna Jankowska,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
-
To help get through the day Music to regulate my emotions. Not a day goes by without speaking to Gosh, my wife.—
Charles Moss,
SPIN,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The sheriff said his priority would be working with ICE to arrest members of gangs, such as Tren de Aragua, or TDA, which is based in Venezuela and Bradshaw said has a presence in Miami.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2025
-
In return for the temporary dismissal of his indictment for bribery and fraud, Adams’ promised to assist the Trump administration in arresting migrants in New York City.—
Nick Akerman,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
By Rebecca Schneid February 28, 2025 10:35 AM EST U.S. consumers have been encouraged to participate in a 24-hour buying boycott today, targeting all economic activity—especially major retailers—as a way to show politicians that everyday consumers can control the economy.—
Rebecca Schneid,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
-
In Court The Alabama Healthcare Insurance Battle BCBS controls 95% of the health insurance market in Alabama.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In a lightning three-week offensive, the M23 took control of eastern Congo's main city Goma and seized the second largest city, Bukavu.—
JANVIER BARHAHIGA AND MONIKA PRONCZUK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
arkansasonline.com,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Serving this warrant with a copy of the Affidavit, and making the search and if the person or property to be found there, to seize the person or the property and hold for safekeeping until further order of this court.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Most drugstore shampoos contain harsh ingredients that dry out the scalp.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Many soaps contain yet more chemicals that have nothing to do with cleaning and everything to do with creating a fragrant facade of cleanliness.—
Matt Fuchs,
TIME,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Tari Eason scored 14 points and Dillon Brooks added 12. Sabonis’ injury Sabonis grabbed his left hamstring while running the floor just over a minute into the game.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Lozano exited the match in the 28th minute after appearing to grab his left hamstring.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Trump said all three countries needed to do more to curb the amount of fentanyl coming over the border.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
7 Mar. 2025
-
President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has shut down 146,000 government credit cards in just two weeks in an effort to curb waste and fraud within the federal government.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
But the path toward apprehending the culprit runs not through a procedural hunt but via an unlikely act of literary criticism.—
Katie Kitamura,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The rapper, who was in town to host and perform at a party at Friends Sports Bar & Kitchen, was apprehended by local law enforcement and subsequently detained.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrain. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share