1
as in controlling
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 arresting
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 restraining
If consumers or businesses perceive stablecoins as more practical, the state may face the awkward task of promoting one digital form of the yuan while restraining another.
—
Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
First, both Washington and Beijing now have proven weapons that are restraining the aggressive instincts of the other side.
—Scott Kennedy, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
The dual action – calming runaway inflammation while restraining tumor growth – makes N50 F2 a strong candidate for new anti-cancer therapies.
—New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2025
California Department of Education officials found that school staff used unreasonable and unnecessary force in restraining Max.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2025
After restraining Neely that day, Penny remained on scene when police arrived and later explained his actions to several NYPD officers.
—Eric Levenson, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
Penny, who is white, has been both criticized as a violent vigilante and lauded as a hero for restraining Neely, a black man.
—Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Dec. 2024
Cohen, who served during the Clinton administration, said that Biden does not want to appear to be restraining Netanyahu, but with the price of oil already high, striking Iran oil refineries is a risk.
—Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024
Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
First, both Washington and Beijing now have proven weapons that are restraining the aggressive instincts of the other side.
—Scott Kennedy, Time, 16 Aug. 2025
The dual action – calming runaway inflammation while restraining tumor growth – makes N50 F2 a strong candidate for new anti-cancer therapies.
—New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2025
California Department of Education officials found that school staff used unreasonable and unnecessary force in restraining Max.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2025
After restraining Neely that day, Penny remained on scene when police arrived and later explained his actions to several NYPD officers.
—Eric Levenson, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
Penny, who is white, has been both criticized as a violent vigilante and lauded as a hero for restraining Neely, a black man.
—Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Dec. 2024
Cohen, who served during the Clinton administration, said that Biden does not want to appear to be restraining Netanyahu, but with the price of oil already high, striking Iran oil refineries is a risk.
—Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraining
Verb
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Part of her had always felt an aching imposter syndrome and a difficulty controlling her emotions.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
These are essential for controlling the whip-like motion that propels sperm forward.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Climate change has reduced its size dramatically, to a ghost of its former self, but the surrounding mountains are still arresting.—
Thomas Page McBee,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Sep. 2025
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The plaintiffs later accused the department of violating the order by hitting journalists with batons and arresting them during an August protest.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Much of Emery’s strategy is about organisation and regulating the game’s tempo.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing rolling back what's known as the endangerment finding, the basis for rules regulating climate pollution, including from coal and gas-fired power plants, cars and trucks, and methane from the oil and gas industry.—
Julia Simon,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But many of the best-in-class companies are seizing on the chance to innovate and evolve.—
Shefali Kapadia,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Since seizing effective control over the area after a 2012 standoff with the Philippines, China's coast guard has sought to keep local anglers away from the traditional fishing ground.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Marquette University launched a new police unit focused on curbing reckless driving around campus just a few months before two student-athletes died in a crash about a mile from campus.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Stop & Shop lowered its prices on thousands of items in late August, in a separate initiative, but a company representative told the Herald that curbing shoplifting remained on its radar.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After grabbing an early lead Friday evening, the Royals were unable to match their hosts’ prolific offense on Friday.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
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The owner squeezed her hands into the mix of kittens, moving the babies and grabbing the one that did not belong, which turned out to be a tiny mouse.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The cocoa arm of the trial tested a daily extract supplement containing 500 mg of cocoa flavanols, and within that mix, about 80 mg came from a single compound called epicatechin – thought to be one of the most important flavanols for heart and blood vessel health.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Sep. 2025
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Information about the two companies' partnership emerged after CCTV showed a billboard containing the details as part of a report on the telecoms giant's new Sanjiangyuan data center in Qinghai province.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But also on board the ship that night is this detective who is charged with apprehending Providence.—
Olivia Petty,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Sep. 2025
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The immediate priority for law enforcement is locating and apprehending the suspect who should be considered armed and dangerous.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraining. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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