RESTRAINED Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

restrained 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈstrānd

Definition of restrained

as in muted

not excessively showy a restrained but elegant black purse

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

restrained

2 of 2

verb

past tense of restrain

as in controlled

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) the victim's family members were unable to restrain their emotions upon hearing the verdict

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in arrested

to take or keep under one's control by authority of law the suspect was restrained and taken to an undisclosed location

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 restrained

Adjective

Its handful of action sequences are perfectly calibrated, unfolding in a restrained manner so as never to steal focus from the characters and story. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026 There’s a smooth clarity to most of these songs, which grants different textures and dimensions to even Lyseight’s most restrained beats. — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026

Verb

The Beauty of Her Understated Makeup Grace Kelly’s makeup was remarkably restrained, especially during an era when bold lips, dramatic eyes, and glamorous Hollywood looks dominated the screen. — Colleen Sullivan, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026 What that framing misses is that the impulse being restrained is not necessarily a moral defect. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for restrained

Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrained

Adjective

Jolly’s stance is more muted than that of many Democrats who oppose Amendment 3.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
Rather than sticking to traditional off-white or ivory, the collection also includes muted shades like hay, hazelnut, and olive, giving sheer linen curtains a richer, more unexpected twist.

— Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of muted

Verb

Publishers now list their servers in a catalog controlled by a company whose commercial interest is to run those servers on its own runtime.

— Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
The Yankees are owned by Yankee Global Enterprises, a company controlled by businessman Hal Steinbrenner and members of his family.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of controlled

Verb

An 18-year-old Los Banos resident was arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was found shot to death early Sunday in Turlock, police said.

— Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Manuel Hernandez, 46, of Manhattan, was arrested early Sunday and charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment, just hours after the boat carrying 14 people overturned in New York Harbor, the New York Police Department said.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrested

Verb

Jason Trost Smarkets founder The first choice, though, would be for Smarkets to run as a prediction markets exchange regulated under the CFTC, Trost said.

— Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
This rule finds that because national banks — which are regulated by the federal government — have the power to set their terms, only the federal government can weigh in on those terms.

— P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of regulated

Verb

President Min Aung Hlaing, the former army chief who had originally seized power in 2021 from Suu Kyi’s civilian government, has been trying to win political legitimacy since the takeover and resume relations with ASEAN.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Attacks could draw retaliation and reignite Yemen’s war Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of northern Yemen, forcing the government into exile.

— Fatma Khaled, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of seized

Adjective

Meanwhile, Mercury in your private 12th house sextiles Venus in your 2nd House of Resources, supporting quiet decisions around money, self-worth, and peace.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Mauro Mueller’s film is a quiet, poignant drama about loss, memory and the power of human closeness.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of quiet

Verb

Debuting as Unwell Hydration, the initial line came in three flavors and contained electrolytes, vitamins and caffeine.

— Ashley Carman, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Mahtani said the Situational Awareness debacle reflected poor risk management, but that its broader impact had been largely contained.

— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of contained

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restrain

restrained

restrainedly

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Style

“Restrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrained. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of restrained

adjective

verb

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