as in constraints
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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Recent Examples of restraints
The restaurant was in violation of 16 standards, including employees not using hair restraints and rust accumulation on prep surfaces.
—
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Their testimony comes as Democratic lawmakers in Congress are demanding restraints on immigration officers before agreeing to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
—Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Advocates said while unmasking the federal agents would be an important step, other restraints on immigration enforcement operations may be even more so.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Voluntary export restraints on Japanese automobiles in the 1980s gave Detroit a brief reprieve but accelerated its decline.
—Carol L. Harris, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
They were allegedly sent from California with $1,000 to purchase supplies for disguises, restraints and burglary tools.
—Louis Casiano , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Those are all things that can be impacted by economic anxiety, affordability and social restraints.
—Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Visit our website Abroad, the same logic has unfolded with fewer restraints.
—Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
After the killings in Minnesota, Democrats have threatened to block further funding unless the Administration agrees to impose modest restraints on agents’ conduct, such as forcing them to remove their masks and raising the legal bar for the use of warrants.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Their testimony comes as Democratic lawmakers in Congress are demanding restraints on immigration officers before agreeing to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
—Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Advocates said while unmasking the federal agents would be an important step, other restraints on immigration enforcement operations may be even more so.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Voluntary export restraints on Japanese automobiles in the 1980s gave Detroit a brief reprieve but accelerated its decline.
—Carol L. Harris, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
They were allegedly sent from California with $1,000 to purchase supplies for disguises, restraints and burglary tools.
—Louis Casiano , Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Those are all things that can be impacted by economic anxiety, affordability and social restraints.
—Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Visit our website Abroad, the same logic has unfolded with fewer restraints.
—Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
After the killings in Minnesota, Democrats have threatened to block further funding unless the Administration agrees to impose modest restraints on agents’ conduct, such as forcing them to remove their masks and raising the legal bar for the use of warrants.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraints
Noun
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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
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Even when working within the constraints of Interior’s own misguided directive, there is an obvious exception that would apply to the pride flag flown at Stonewall, which is for flags that provide historical context.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Israeli intelligence expert Sima Shein has warned that negotiations narrowly focused on nuclear restrictions could leave Israel exposed.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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While neighboring Broward County's water levels are not as low, and no restrictions have been issued there, the outlook remains concerning for Miami-Dade.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For example, setback limitations for wind energy conversion facilities cannot be more than three times the total height of the wind turbine between the turbine location and an abutting dwelling.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
13 Feb. 2026
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Until earlier this week, limitations with Guthrie's doorbell camera meant law enforcement had difficulty putting together an image of a person related to the crime.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Restraints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraints. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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