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
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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
The suspect tried to open the aircraft door during the flight and, when restrained by the crew, uttered racial and homophobic slurs against the professionals, the statement said.
—
ABC News,
24 June 2026
Even though children notoriously love to test the limits of parental rules, studies suggest that parents who restrain from distracted driving are more likely to have children who do the same, as are parents who wear bike helmets.
—
David C. Schwebel,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
Richard drove Kara to his apartment, stopping along the way to restrain her with handcuffs and place a gag in her mouth.
—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
24 June 2026
Al-Shaair learned how to restrain himself in practice.
—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for restrain
ABC News,
24 June 2026
Even though children notoriously love to test the limits of parental rules, studies suggest that parents who restrain from distracted driving are more likely to have children who do the same, as are parents who wear bike helmets.
—
David C. Schwebel,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
Richard drove Kara to his apartment, stopping along the way to restrain her with handcuffs and place a gag in her mouth.
—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
24 June 2026
Al-Shaair learned how to restrain himself in practice.
—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for restrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrain
Verb
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The clinical version dates to research in the 1960s and 1970s, when devices tracked heart rate variability, muscle tension and skin temperature to help people regulate what was once considered automatic.
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The chronic disease, which impairs the body’s ability to properly regulate blood sugar, contributed to 94,445 deaths that year.
Verb
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On July 1, Russian daredevils climbed to the tip of the building's spire before getting engaged, and then arrested.
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Two people were arrested and charged with murder Thursday in the 2024 overdose death of a Fort Worth man, according to online jail records.
Verb
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Russia meanwhile has claimed that its forces now control the important town of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
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The plant also can be controlled by applying a nonselective herbicide, but that will not save digging.
Verb
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The party has focused on driving down consumer costs, seizing on what polling shows is deep dissatisfaction about the economy and worries about affordability.
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Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who voted against the proposal in mid-June, voiced fears that the list of noncitizen voters would immediately be seized by federal immigration authorities.
Verb
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Pomegranates also contain vitamin K and folate, which can help support healthy blood clotting and cell growth, respectively.
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The Lineage warehouse, built in 2018, is likely to contain different materials of concern.
Verb
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Video of the incident showed the professor grabbing and twisting the arm of the pro-Palestinian student.
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As police tried to handcuff Sever, the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office said Sever swung at troopers and forcefully grabbed at a trooper's duty weapon, which was secured in a holster.
Verb
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Learn about new regulations that aim to curb contact with swimmers.
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The Financial Times reported that Google has curbed Meta’s use of its AI models after the Facebook and Instagram parent company wanted to use more computing capacity than Google could provide.
Verb
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Photos from the match showed multiple people being apprehended or escorted away by security during the bizarre stoppage.
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Chavez, 19, ran from the scene, but was later apprehended.
Cite this Entry
“Restrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrain. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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