restrained

adjective

re·​strained ri-ˈstrānd How to pronounce restrained (audio)
: marked by restraint : not excessive or extravagant
restrainedly adverb

Examples of restrained in a Sentence

She was admired for her restrained behavior. a restrained style of architecture The room was decorated with restrained colors.
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 commissioner’s restrained view of the FTC’s mission was inconsistent with Roosevelt’s policy agenda, which was the reason the president gave for dismissing him. Jacob Sullum, Orange County Register, 24 Feb. 2025 Though the Franco-American relationship had cooled by then, Trump and Macron shook hands in a somewhat restrained manner. 2024: The Shake Seen Around The World Last December, Trump, Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Paris ahead of the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025 Zhang films the turbulent yet nuanced action in dry, restrained tableaux of an elusive lyricism, a poetry that, to match Beibei’s relentless pursuits, remains just out of reach. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2025 Some folks might overstate the likely influence of those who call for a more restrained U.S. approach to the world within a second Trump administration, the scholars wrote in the opinion piece. Cory Smith, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for restrained

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of restrained was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Restrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restrained. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

restrained

adjective
re·​strained ri-ˈstrānd How to pronounce restrained (audio)
: marked by restraint : showing careful control
restrainedly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on restrained

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