restraint

noun

re·​straint ri-ˈstrānt How to pronounce restraint (audio)
Synonyms of restraint
1
a
: an act of restraining : the state of being restrained
b(1)
: a means of restraining : a restraining force or influence
(2)
: a device that restricts movement
a restraint for children riding in cars
2
: a control over the expression of one's emotions or thoughts

Synonyms of restraint

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Examples of restraint in a Sentence

Make sure the child safety restraint is in place. The prisoner was placed in restraints. His angry response showed a lack of restraint. The government has acted with restraint in dealing with this crisis.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The next day, the Pac-12 filed a declaratory action in federal court, arguing that the poaching penalties constituted an unlawful restraint on competition. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Minnesota officials, immigration lawyers and others alleged the conditions within the building were deplorable, citing a surfeit of beds and bathroom facilities, leg restraints for detainees and barriers to accessing legal aid. — Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 And so there has to be a way to show restraint, while also honoring the fact that this world has expanded to something humongous. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 Often kids dealing with restraint collapse exhibit an explosive outburst of emotions. — Liz Regalia, Parents, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for restraint

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French restreinte, from restreindre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of restraint was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing restraint

Rhymes for restraint

See All Rhymes for restraint

Browse Nearby Words

restraining order
restraint
restraint of marriage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restraint. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

restraint

noun
re·​straint ri-ˈstrānt How to pronounce restraint (audio)
1
: the act of restraining : the state of being restrained
held in restraint
2
: a restraining force or influence
3
: control over one's behavior
act with restraint

Medical Definition

restraint

noun
re·​straint ri-ˈstrānt How to pronounce restraint (audio)
: a device that restricts movement
restraints such as straitjackets for violent patients

Legal Definition

restraint

noun
re·​straint ri-ˈstrānt How to pronounce restraint (audio)
1
a
: an act or fact of restraining see also prior restraint
b
: the state of being restrained
2
a
: a means of restraining
b
: a device that restricts movement (as of prisoners or violent psychiatric patients)

More from Merriam-Webster on restraint

Nglish: Translation of restraint for Spanish Speakers

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