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
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Recent Examples of restrain
At times, the boy was restrained and choked and assaulted in his dorm room bed.
—
Richard Winton
follow, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
But American courts have long been viewed as anti-democratic in that, unlike Congress or the president, their role is not to further the will of the majority but to restrain it when that will leads to actions that violate constitutional protections.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 July 2025
There have been no recorded shoe bombings, in the sky or on the ground, since passengers and crew subdued and restrained Reid on that 2001 flight.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025
Crew members and passengers noticed and restrained him.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for restrain
Richard Winton
follow, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025
But American courts have long been viewed as anti-democratic in that, unlike Congress or the president, their role is not to further the will of the majority but to restrain it when that will leads to actions that violate constitutional protections.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 July 2025
There have been no recorded shoe bombings, in the sky or on the ground, since passengers and crew subdued and restrained Reid on that 2001 flight.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025
Crew members and passengers noticed and restrained him.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for restrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrain
Verb
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At some point, perhaps, Congress might even craft legislation that gives more direct guidance on how the EPA should regulate greenhouse gases.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
1 Aug. 2025
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The crypto law, known in the chambers as Bill No. 247, is a renewed and more robust legislative effort to regulate cryptoassets in Panama, introduced in 2025 by Alternate Deputy Solís.—
Javier Bastardo,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Woods was arrested just over a year ago on DUI charges in Georgia’s Gwinnett County.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
24 July 2025
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Jeremiah Taylor, 18, was arrested by the South Milwaukee Police Department on July 22.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
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In the nuclear era, for example, the U.S. government controlled the new technology, and planners had two decades to develop policy frameworks before a nuclear rival emerged.—
MATAN CHOREV,
Foreign Affairs,
22 July 2025
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Instead, point out the unhealthy ways that her boyfriend is behaving – controlling behavior, anger and lashing out, isolating her and her kids, and monitoring her communication.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Investigators noted that one of the devices that was seized could not be examined because it was encrypted, the warrant affidavit said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
22 July 2025
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Marino revealed to This American Life that during the early days of filming the reality show, Butler approached him about selling large amounts of marijuana that had been seized in drug raids by Wielsch.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
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The fruit contains a high water content and has many antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
25 July 2025
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The initial headline in the story contained incorrect information .—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Leave your troubles behind and grab a lime, because Thursday is National Tequila Day.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
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Concerned, the roommates grabbed golf clubs from one of the first-floor bedrooms and checked the house for a possible intruder.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Streets included in the network are focus areas in a citywide effort to curb the number of vehicle crashes with injuries.—
Leo Bertucci,
The Courier-Journal,
29 July 2025
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The two nations struck a significant deal nearly two years ago, pledging to ramp up renewables and curb planet-warming gases.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have apprehended a teacher who allegedly overstayed his visa.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
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The forums proved useful in 2019, when the public learned the sheriff’s office had cooperated with ICE to allow its agents to enter private areas in county jails and apprehend immigrants in detention.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrain. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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