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
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Recent Examples of restraint
Critic Rex Reed, who died Tuesday at 87, built his career on savage, acerbic reviews delivered with little restraint, earning a reputation as a provocateur.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Sometimes they’re made explicit with synthesizer arpeggios, deployed with typical restraint, like neon signage flashing between passing trees at night.
—Brian Howe, Pitchfork, 12 May 2026
But where the décor favors restraint, the food chooses extravagance.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Staff put the man in restraints and took him away to decontaminate.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Sometimes they’re made explicit with synthesizer arpeggios, deployed with typical restraint, like neon signage flashing between passing trees at night.
—Brian Howe, Pitchfork, 12 May 2026
But where the décor favors restraint, the food chooses extravagance.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Staff put the man in restraints and took him away to decontaminate.
—Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraint
Noun
-
Since the turn of the century, California’s state budget has been plagued by a boom-and-bust syndrome rooted in its lopsided revenue system and a lack of political discipline.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
-
The league constitution is a contract between teams, owners and the league that details league authority over teams, including with respect to ownership, relocation, discipline and territorial rights.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The order, which escalated the president's bid to place new restrictions on voting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, is being challenged in court.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
-
Fans, legislators and even some sports leagues have begun calling for restrictions on gambling ads.—
Luke Connors,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Moral judgments like these became part of the school curriculum in the late 19th century, as the temperance movement gained momentum toward its goal of total abstinence.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
3 May 2026
-
The temperance, abolition, and civil-rights movements in America were all motivated in part by religious convictions.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Instead of providing convenience, services and consumption, the regime only inflicts repression, intrusion and censorship.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
-
The goal is not denial or emotional repression.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
But, within the constraints of reality, what would actually make that vision work?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Page cited a combination of federal funding cuts, skyrocketing health care costs, diminishing enrollment and more behind the budget constraints, while local teachers cited local investment issues as well.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
At the annual Tony Awards nominees luncheon, Broadway’s biggest stars, breakthrough performers and veteran craftspeople traded nerves for laughter, candid confessions and mutual admiration.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
Another high-stakes meeting this week will do little to calm nerves.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Alcohol relieves social inhibition.—
Jonathan Avery,
STAT,
11 May 2026
-
Beyondthe security gates and ID checkpoints, inhibitions loosen and time flows differently.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The company sees slowness not as a limitation, but as a strategic asset that reduces risk, trims costs, and eases environmental impact.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
-
But the Bucs don’t expect the limitation to last long.—
Rick Stroud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraint. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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