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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of restraint
Surely now is the time to exercise financial restraint.
—
John Deffenbaugh, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
Trump's move, coming after weeks of rising tensions in the Middle East, reflected a willingness by the administration to participate directly in overseas security operations—departing from the restraint that characterized much of Trump's second-term foreign policy.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
At its core, Wimbledon is a British brand built on restraint: the all-white dress code, the absence of in-your-face, on-court branding, the strawberries and cream.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Critics say Trump has only become more dangerous, pursuing radical ideas without restraint.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
John Deffenbaugh, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
Trump's move, coming after weeks of rising tensions in the Middle East, reflected a willingness by the administration to participate directly in overseas security operations—departing from the restraint that characterized much of Trump's second-term foreign policy.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
At its core, Wimbledon is a British brand built on restraint: the all-white dress code, the absence of in-your-face, on-court branding, the strawberries and cream.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Critics say Trump has only become more dangerous, pursuing radical ideas without restraint.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraint
Noun
-
CIOs and CTOs bring structure, governance and enterprise-scale discipline to AI adoption.—
Sumit Johar,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
The new lawsuit highlights how many of the MSP internal controversies over promotions, hiring, and discipline have racial undertones.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Most recently, Australia relaxed restrictions on U.S. beef, a move which the office of the U.S. trade representative credited to Trump, but Albanese had reportedly said the move was not prompted by Trump.—
Lim Hui Jie,Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
31 July 2025
-
The Ada County commissioners will meet again Sept. 10 to make a decision on solar restrictions.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
For example, my passionate behavior (transcendence) and decisiveness (judgment), when not supported by strong temperance, can silence others.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
The temperance drive didn’t work so well, but the caffeine fixation stuck.—
Nina Caplan,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
The Bukele administration has unleashed a wave of repression over the past few months.—
Andrea Salcedo,
NPR,
17 July 2025
-
And how Russian composers, those who stayed and those who left, dealt with militarism, nationalism and the threat of repression has never felt more relevant.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
The graphic novel format gave him the freedom to imagine without limitation—unbound by the logistical constraints of filmmaking.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
14 July 2025
-
Davis is a magnetic front man, and the Roadhouse Band is an intoxicatingly raucous live outfit, but the constraints of the setup suited his new material, which is suffused with listlessness and yearning, dark jokes and wordy disquisitions on desire.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Medrano, according to the suit, went to a doctor after her arrest and was diagnosed with a nerve compression injury in her left wrist and thumb because of the zip ties.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
The speech, seen as a rebuke of the steroid era, struck a nerve because Sandberg was never a big talker.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Before the month comes to a close, Mercury will station retrograde in Leo, activating your 12th house of secrets, surrender and your subconscious, bringing up old memories or inhibitions that have been clouding your clarity.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
Reservations and inhibitions have a way of slipping away in the Snake Pit.—
Shari Rudavsky,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
This can result in compromises on certain ideas and slower development as your team contends with the platform's limitations.—
Andrii Kovalchuk,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
This is especially relevant for those who can't upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraint. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share