restrain

/rɪˈstreɪn/ Formal

Say it: ri-STRAYN

1. verb To prevent someone or something from moving or acting, often by using physical force.
It took three officers to restrain the violent suspect.
2. verb To prevent yourself from showing an emotion or acting on an impulse.
She had to restrain herself from yelling at him in the middle of the meeting.
3. verb To limit the growth, development, or freedom of something.
The new regulations are designed to restrain corporate spending.

📖 Seen in the wild

The police had to restrain the agitated crowd from rushing the stage.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ restrain in a sentence

He could barely restrain his curiosity about what was in the box.
The court issued a temporary order to restrain the company from destroying the documents.
Parents are taught to restrain their children in car seats for safety.
Despite the provocation, he managed to restrain his anger.
A leash and a firm command are usually enough to restrain the dog.
Economic sanctions were imposed to restrain the nation's military ambitions.
She bit her lip to restrain a smile.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

curb check hold back control suppress inhibit repress bridle

curb · suggests checking something that is already in motion, like an appetite or a habit.

check · implies stopping or slowing the progress of something, often abruptly.

hold back · a more general and often physical term for preventing movement or expression.

control · implies managing or directing something, not just stopping it.

Opposites: release, unleash, liberate, encourage, indulge

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'restrain' comes to English from the Old French 'restreindre', which itself derives from the Latin 'restringere', meaning 'to bind back tightly'. This Latin root is a combination of 're-', meaning 'back', and 'stringere', meaning 'to draw tight'. The core idea of pulling something back and holding it tight has remained central to the word's meaning over centuries.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

restrain an impulserestrain spendingphysically restrain someonerestrain from actingdifficult to restrain

'Restrain' is a strong verb that implies holding back a powerful force, whether it's a person, an emotion, or a process. It is often confused with 'constrain'. To 'restrain' is to actively stop something from happening (you restrain your anger). To 'constrain' is to be limited by outside forces (you are constrained by a tight budget). Using 'restrain' emphasizes the act of stopping, while 'constrain' emphasizes the limitations that force a certain outcome.

Word family: restraint, restrained, unrestrained

💬 Quick answers

What does 'restrain' mean in simple terms?

It means to hold something back. This can be physically holding a person, stopping yourself from showing an emotion, or limiting something like spending.

What is the difference between 'restrain' and 'constrain'?

'Restrain' means to stop or hold back an action or force. 'Constrain' means to be limited or forced into a certain path by external factors, like rules or a lack of resources.

Is 'restrain' a formal word?

Yes, 'restrain' is generally a formal word. It's common in legal, medical, and professional contexts, but it is also used in everyday language, especially for controlling strong emotions.

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