1
as in discipline
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
it will take a great deal of restraint to keep from telling her how ugly that dress is
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
civil libertarians contend that the new laws place too many restraints on our constitutionally guaranteed rights
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in temperance
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
he shows very little restraint or tact when expressing his opinions about others
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restraint
Dinand reshapes the visual language of perfumery by touching glass with restraint, intelligence and emotion — leaving behind objects that speak before scent is ever released.
—
Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 4 Feb. 2026
But where the press is free, where the parliament or congress is open, normally, there is some restraint on this kind of behavior by high officials.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
He was placed in wrist restraints and seated in the front of the patrol vehicle.
—Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
On Fat Tuesday, early Christians would binge fatty foods before the Lenten season of fasting and restraint began the next day.
—Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 4 Feb. 2026
But where the press is free, where the parliament or congress is open, normally, there is some restraint on this kind of behavior by high officials.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
He was placed in wrist restraints and seated in the front of the patrol vehicle.
—Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
On Fat Tuesday, early Christians would binge fatty foods before the Lenten season of fasting and restraint began the next day.
—Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraint
Noun
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As the discipline grew in popularity, Warren’s students began to take home trophies from tournaments across the country and internationally.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The Winter Olympics are in full swing in Italy, and athletes from 93 countries are competing in 16 disciplines across eight sports.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The company also points out that pigeons can operate in areas where drones face airspace restrictions.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
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The golden mussel is a serious threat, and officials say most boat owners seem to understand that and accept the new restrictions.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the case of Steve Jobs, his incredible strength in transcendence tips into excess because it is not supported by other dimensions of character, such as patience, calm, and self-regulation that come from temperance, and the humility and humanity to see other points of view.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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On a single day in 1900, a former schoolteacher destroyed three saloons using bricks, rocks, and a billiard ball—all to advance the cause of temperance.—
The Atlantic Science Desk,
The Atlantic,
27 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The director frames the film as an immersion into the mind of one such figure — shaped by social discontent, inequality and state repression — who triggers revolt to avenge the death of his dog.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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Research on Arab diaspora activism documents shows how governments deter dissent through transnational repression.—
Michael Paarlberg,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Experts point to restricted access to advanced chips and limited capital as lingering constraints.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Shein says Iran may be stalling diplomatically to see whether Washington limits talks to nuclear issues while avoiding missile constraints.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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When bleeding or swelling inside one of these compartments builds up, pressure rises and begins to squeeze the muscles, nerves and blood vessels.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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On the health care side, students use a $40,000 digital anatomy table that displays the virtual image of a real cadaver to study bones, nerves and organs in layers.—
Wilborn P. Nobles III,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In a race to find out who caused this marital mayhem, emotions will be high, inhibitions will be low, and everyone will have access to an open bar.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
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Lepley studies how muscles of the upper leg shut down after a knee injury — a process called muscle inhibition.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The study, which was published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, had several limitations, the researchers acknowledged.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Experts say another common and often overlooked limitation of anticoagulants is that even with the newer generation of the drugs, doctors need to take care to prescribe the appropriate drug and dose for a patient.—
David Cox,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraint. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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