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

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

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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 Members of his family also filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit in civil court against Fatherley, other deputies who restrained Adair, the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK. — Sofi Zeman august 26, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026 Crow-Armstrong had to be restrained, keeping him in the game and preventing a possible suspension during his MVP race with Shohei Ohtani, who reportedly is ready to pitch again. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026 Other moviegoers adored his campy but somehow restrained mania as the butler in Clue, or delighted in his nasty smarm as the concierge in Home Alone 2. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2026 The woman’s 1-year-old son, Waylon, was properly restrained in the backseat of the Ford Escape, but suffered critical injuries. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for restrain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrain

Verb

Most Popular For Holey, skincare shouldn’t overpower the skin, but support it in regulating itself.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
They’re regulated on the federal level by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC.

— Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of regulate

Verb

After years of legal proceedings in the United Kingdom and Romania, the Tates were arrested in Miami by US Marshals on July 18 on provisional arrest warrants requested by Britain.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Then, in March 2025, he was arrested for the rape of a 46-year-old woman earlier that year.

— Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrest

Verb

During an operation, a surgeon controls robotic arms fitted with small instruments while viewing the surgical area through a three-dimensional vision system.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Japanese doctors have advised patients reporting rashes or difficulty controlling bowels after frequent use to stop until symptoms clear, per the AP.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of control

Verb

The Texas high school football season is underway, and several Fort Worth-area teams seized statement wins.

— Charles Baggarly August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
But while the Jets’ defense piled up takeaways, the rookie quarterback failed to seize the spotlight during the 23-6 loss to the Giants.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

The filing says a witness reported seeing a gray GMC Denali towing a box trailer containing people, including children.

— Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Hugging Face’s, meanwhile, is a few pages shorter but contains specific lines of code and evidence from its systems about what happened.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

Former President Jimmy Carter in 1977 proposed a legislative plan to curb rising hospital costs.

— Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Flock last week set out a new set of guardrails intended to curb abuse of its system, including advocating for a seven-day data retention policy for its customers.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of curb

Verb

The Esquire piece covers a Texas district attorney named Bill Conradt, who died by suicide in 2006 when Hansen and Dateline’s cameras, as well as law enforcement, attempted to apprehend him at his home as part of an operation covered by the program.

— Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
The teens walked away from the wreck with few injuries and tried to run, but authorities apprehended them shortly afterward, officials said.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of apprehend

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“Restrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrain. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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