self-restraint

noun

self-re·​straint ˌself-ri-ˈstrānt How to pronounce self-restraint (audio)
: restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires : self-control
A bitter answer leaped to his tongue, but he was learning self-restraint.Somerset Maugham

Examples of self-restraint in a Sentence

she demonstrated an almost unnatural self-restraint during the fight we must practice self-restraint even with people who are deliberately rude
Recent Examples on the Web For once, the candidate exhibited real self-restraint by not mentioning the film. Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2024 Countries will exercise self-restraint, accepting normative constraints to protect their greater interests. Tanisha M. Fazal, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024 Thank God and the NYPD for their hard work and self-restraint during a sad, complicated and necessary intervention. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2024 Their lack of self-restraint would result in an explosion. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for self-restraint 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-restraint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-restraint was in 1656

Dictionary Entries Near self-restraint

Cite this Entry

“Self-restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-restraint. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-restraint

noun
self-re·​straint
ˌsel-fri-ˈstrānt
: proper control over one's actions or emotions

More from Merriam-Webster on self-restraint

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