RESTRAIN Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'restrain' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of restrain are bridle , check , and curb . While all these words mean "to hold back from or control in doing something," restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes. // restrained themselves from laughing

Q: When could 'bridle' be used to replace 'restrain'?

The words bridle and restrain can be used in similar contexts, but bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in. // bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Q: When can 'check' be used instead of 'restrain'?

The words check and restrain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus. // trying to check government spending

Q: Where would 'curb' be a reasonable alternative to 'restrain'?

Although the words curb and restrain have much in common, curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking. // learn to curb your appetite

restrain

verb

ri-ˈstrān

Definition of restrain next

as in to regulate

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to arrest

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb restrain contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of restrain are bridle, check, and curb. While all these words mean "to hold back from or control in doing something," restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

When could bridle be used to replace restrain?

The words bridle and restrain can be used in similar contexts, but bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

When can check be used instead of restrain?

The words check and restrain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

Where would curb be a reasonable alternative to restrain?

Although the words curb and restrain have much in common, curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

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 restrain Both lawsuits allege that district officials violated state law by allowing students receiving special education services to be physically restrained and by failing to follow proper procedure before facilitating the students’ arrests. —

Aliyya Swaby, ProPublica, 13 Jan. 2025 Related Video Vogue’s Best Celebrity Makeup Moments of 2024 If the Loro look—polished, unfussy, deliberately restrained—has a time to shine, now is the moment. —

Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025 Other passengers restrained the individual until Troopers arrived on scene to detain them for further questioning. —

Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025 Officers responded at 8:42 p.m. to the 1100 block of West Sharon Road, east of Bristol Street and south of Memory Lane, after a report that a man was restraining a woman in the driveway of a home, according to the Santa Ana Police Department. —

Andrea Klick, Orange County Register, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for restrain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrain

Verb

Under the Constitution’s Elections Clause, judges cannot intrude on state lawmakers’ authority to regulate federal elections, but the high court’s decision did not set a specific test for determining when that boundary is crossed.

— Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
The dye, which has been registered with and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration since 1971, is used by food manufacturers to achieve a bright red color.

— Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025