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 Croc Docs researcher Eric Suarez and Cole with the SFWMD restrained the python while Welty drew blood from a vein near the base of her tail. — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 Three women were restrained, arrested, and held for nearly 20 hours in the Baltimore City Detention Center, the lawsuit alleges. — Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 29 June 2026 After a special education student in Seymour Public Schools was restrained and secluded 53 times in seven months, the child’s parents filed an official state complaint. — Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2026 From June of 2004 to July of 2006, as the subprime bubble was inflating, the Fed raised the interest rate 17 times consecutively – a textbook policy of monetary tightening, unprecedented at the time, which should have restrained credit creation. — George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for restrain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrain

Verb

The clinical version dates to research in the 1960s and 1970s, when devices tracked heart rate variability, muscle tension and skin temperature to help people regulate what was once considered automatic.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
The chronic disease, which impairs the body’s ability to properly regulate blood sugar, contributed to 94,445 deaths that year.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of regulate

Verb

On July 1, Russian daredevils climbed to the tip of the building's spire before getting engaged, and then arrested.

— Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Two people were arrested and charged with murder Thursday in the 2024 overdose death of a Fort Worth man, according to online jail records.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026

Definition of arrest

Verb

Russia meanwhile has claimed that its forces now control the important town of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
The plant also can be controlled by applying a nonselective herbicide, but that will not save digging.

— Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of control

Verb

The party has focused on driving down consumer costs, seizing on what polling shows is deep dissatisfaction about the economy and worries about affordability.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who voted against the proposal in mid-June, voiced fears that the list of noncitizen voters would immediately be seized by federal immigration authorities.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of seize

Verb

Schieffelin, who played football last season because had used up his basketball eligibility, used his bulky frame to grab eight rebounds on an 11-point night.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Once the excitement had died down, the team gathered in a circle and a player went up to Haaland, grabbed the back of his neck and kissed his cheek.

— Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026

Definition of grab

Verb

Learn about new regulations that aim to curb contact with swimmers.

— Kristin Scharkey, USA Today, 1 July 2026
The Financial Times reported that Google has curbed Meta’s use of its AI models after the Facebook and Instagram parent company wanted to use more computing capacity than Google could provide.

— John Kell, Fortune, 1 July 2026

Definition of curb

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restoring

restrain

restrained

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“Restrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrain. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of restrain

verb

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