as in muted
not excessively showy
a restrained but elegant black purse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in controlled
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrested
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 restrained
Andrew Ackerman, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2026
Langston said the restrained approach reflects a runoff strategy, conserving money until the two-man runoff.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Steve Reed, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
In the fourth quarter, Lee was ejected after having to be restrained by Miller from going after an official after his player, Grant Williams, collided with Detroit's Paul Reed.
—CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restrained
Adjective
Underscoring the restrained pace of inflation, January saw large declines in energy and used cars and trucks.
—Andrew Ackerman, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2026
Langston said the restrained approach reflects a runoff strategy, conserving money until the two-man runoff.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Midway through the fourth quarter, Lee was ejected and had to be restrained by Hornets guard Brandon Miller while yelling at officials for a no-call after Charlotte’s Grant Williams collided with Detroit’s Paul Reed.
—Steve Reed, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
In the fourth quarter, Lee was ejected after having to be restrained by Miller from going after an official after his player, Grant Williams, collided with Detroit's Paul Reed.
—CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restrained
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrained
Adjective
-
After years of muted activity at the midseason, executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas kickstarted a flurry of activity Tuesday — first cementing a three-team trade to acquire Jaden Ivey from Detroit, then offloading Nikola Vučević to the Boston Celtics.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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Recreate the look in a similar muted color scheme, like allover cloudy white, or play around with vivid color combinations like Miami teal and head-to-toe pinks.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Rafah crossing, a lifeline for Gaza, was the only one not controlled by Israel before the war.—
SAMY MAGDY,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Throughout the airborne maneuver, the robot remains controlled, absorbing impact on landing rather than collapsing, reports Techeblog.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The men ran into an apartment and eventually were arrested.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
As the situation remains fraught in Iran, and with several opposition politicians arrested just this week, Vogue speaks to three Iranian designers on why their home country needs our support right now.—
Emily Chan,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
With such a statement on top, Jenner kept the rest of the look relatively subdued.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The recent batch of labor market data (both public and private) indicated that there’s a high likelihood that job growth was tepid, that unemployment remained subdued and that health care remained a primary driver of overall hiring.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After independence, more banks regulated by individual states, if at all, were established.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Authored the Cultivate Texas Act—responsible adult legalization (age 21+, regulated like alcohol, strict youth prevention/testing) generating billions for property tax elimination and schools.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Authorities have seized more than €957,000 in cash, including €67,000 in foreign currency.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
13 Feb. 2026
-
While Japan has seized fishing vessels from South Korea and Taiwan in recent years, the incident is the first involving a vessel from China since 2022 and comes against the backdrop of a major diplomatic dispute between the countries.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Frontcourt production would rely on the Brazile-Richmond-Pringle trio again, should Ewin have a second quiet performance in a row.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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Meghan Markle forwent her usual quiet luxury style for Old Hollywood glamour in a custom Harbison Studio dress at the annual Fifteen Percent Pledge Fundraising Gala Honoring Tina Knowles on Saturday night in Los Angeles.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The best-selling book contained several bombshell revelations, many of which were related to Spears’ controversial conservatorship, which finally ended in 2021.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
5 Feb. 2026
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Fungi fossils preserved in the chert contained compounds from the breakdown of chitin and glucan, key structural molecules in fungi.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrained. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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