RESTRAINED Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

restrained 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈstrānd

Definition of restrained

as in muted

not excessively showy a restrained but elegant black purse

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

restrained

2 of 2

verb

past tense of restrain

as in controlled

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in arrested

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

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 restrained

Adjective

The multicolor look is contrasted by a more restrained Japan-exclusive Gray/Black/Beige style which features a gray denim base and the same hickory stripe overlays found on the Estate Blue colorway. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 Washington needs to exercise a restrained and lawful brand of hegemony in the Western Hemisphere, respecting the sovereignty of its neighbors and pursuing mutual gains. — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026

Verb

In the realm of celebrities, Leoni crafted a number of custom designs for Hollywood step and repeats that leaned streamlined, unfussy, and tastefully restrained—often in her go-to shades of white or black. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026 The woman fought back, but the man allegedly struck her with a firearm and restrained her again before leaving the house with the children, according to police. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for restrained

Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrained

Adjective

The corporate nerve center is clad in the company palette of muted grays and bright-red accents.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Volumes were very muted Monday for the first extended session for stocks.

— Oliver Renick,Tyler Bailey, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of muted

Verb

And insurers controlled by former Los Angeles Lakers owner Mark Walter lent billions to companies tied to his financial empire, leading to lawsuits and an SEC investigation.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Most concerning of all was Dolan’s installation of his longtime crony, Isaiah Thomas, on the board of a new corporate entity that controlled the Knicks.

— Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of controlled

Adjective

Oddly enough, her two Best Actress plays are both black-and-white, European period pieces, but while Rose is full of gender-bending swagger, Fatherland is a more subdued performance.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Making waves across industries like fashion, beauty, and even interior design, the sensual shade feels more subdued and high-end than alternative reds while being easy to style in the cold-weather months.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of subdued

Verb

At the federal level, ENDS are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, but states have the authority to restrict their sale in order to protect the health of their citizens.

— Ana Santos Rutschman, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026
The companies are regulated on the federal level by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, which has historically focused on overseeing soybean futures and oil derivatives.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of regulated

Verb

In the postwar decades, humans seized ecosystems at breakneck speed—forests were felled, prairies plowed, wetlands drained.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Also unfinished are the high-speed rail and the Delta tunnel, major environmental infrastructure projects that have been seized upon by right-wing media as evidence of Newsom’s failures.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of seized

Adjective

After a quiet day otherwise, Riley exploded for 33- and 72-yard rushing touchdowns to finish as the game’s leading rusher with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
But following intense backlash to the 2024 anti-war protests, some students, faculty and external observers say campuses have become uncharacteristically quiet.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of quiet

Verb

The amendment, reviewed by The Times, contained conflicting language.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The study found that developers may collect and train on sensitive personal information users share with chatbots, including information contained in uploaded files.

— Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of contained

Browse Nearby Words

restrain

restrained

restrainedly

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Style

“Restrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrained. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of restrained

adjective

verb

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