Restraint — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ri-ˈstrānt/ re·straint

Meaning & Definition of Restraint

Restraint (noun)

  1. an act of restraining, the state of being restrained
  2. a means of restraining, a restraining force or influence
  3. a device that restricts movement

Restraint (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others

    "it will take a great deal of restraint to keep from telling her how ugly that dress is"

    similar: constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression
    related: command, control, mastery, possession, self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower, composure, self-poise, self-possession, aloofness, detachedness, distance, bashfulness, modesty, shyness, reticence, silence, taciturnity
    opposite: disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint
    near: self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence, bluntness, candor, frankness, immoderacy, intemperance

  2. something that limits one's freedom of action or choice

    "civil libertarians contend that the new laws place too many restraints on our constitutionally guaranteed rights"

    similar: check, circumscription, condition, constraint, curb, fetter, limitation, restriction, stricture
    related: exception, proviso, qualification, reservation, stipulation, strings, ban, prohibition, proscription
    near: freedom, latitude

  3. the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions

    "he shows very little restraint or tact when expressing his opinions about others"

    similar: continence, self-command, self-containment, self-control, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, self-possession, self-restraint, will, willpower
    related: self-abnegation, self-denial, moderateness, moderation, temperance, temperateness, determination, nerve, command, control, discipline, mastery, abnegation, abstention, avoidance, eschewal, forbearance, abstinence, soberness, sobriety, aplomb, assurance, composure, confidence, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-confidence, discretion
    near: gratification, indulgence, self-indulgence, excessiveness, immoderacy, intemperance, intemperateness, overindulgence, demerit, failing, fault, feebleness, foible, frailty, shortcoming, vice, weakness, indiscipline, unconstraint, unreserve, unreservedness, unrestraint

Related Entry: Self-restraint (noun)

Self-restraint is a different word from Restraint. The synonyms below are for self-restraint, not for restraint.

  1. the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions

    "she demonstrated an almost unnatural self-restraint during the fight"

    similar: continence, restraint, self-command, self-containment, self-control, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, self-possession, will, willpower
    related: self-abnegation, self-denial, moderateness, moderation, temperance, temperateness, determination, nerve, command, control, discipline, mastery, abnegation, abstention, avoidance, eschewal, forbearance, abstinence, soberness, sobriety, aplomb, assurance, composure, confidence, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-confidence, discretion
    near: gratification, indulgence, self-indulgence, excessiveness, immoderacy, intemperance, intemperateness, overindulgence, demerit, failing, fault, feebleness, foible, frailty, shortcoming, vice, weakness, indiscipline, unconstraint, unreserve, unreservedness, unrestraint

  2. the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others

    "we must practice self-restraint even with people who are deliberately rude"

    similar: constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, suppression
    related: command, control, mastery, possession, self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower, composure, self-poise, self-possession, aloofness, detachedness, distance, bashfulness, modesty, shyness, reticence, silence, taciturnity
    opposite: disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint
    near: self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence, bluntness, candor, frankness, immoderacy, intemperance

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Restraint

The most common words with a similar meaning to Restraint:

constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression, check, circumscription, condition, curb, fetter, limitation, restriction, stricture, self-containment, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, self-possession, will, willpower

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Restraint

Words with the opposite meaning of Restraint:

disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint

Related Words for Restraint

command, control, mastery, possession, self-censorship, self-denial, composure, self-poise, aloofness, detachedness, distance, bashfulness, modesty, shyness, reticence, silence, taciturnity, exception, proviso, qualification, reservation, stipulation, strings, ban, prohibition, proscription, self-abnegation, moderateness, moderation, temperance

Near Antonyms of Restraint

self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence, bluntness, candor, frankness, immoderacy, intemperance, freedom, latitude, excessiveness, intemperateness, demerit, failing, fault, feebleness, foible, frailty, shortcoming, vice, weakness, indiscipline, unreserve, unreservedness, unrestraint

Origin & Etymology of Restraint

Middle English, from Anglo-French restreinte, from restreindre

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Restraint

Words & Phrases Containing Restraint

head restraint, passive restraint, prior restraint, self-restraint, under restraint

Frequently Asked Questions about Restraint

What does "Restraint" mean?

"Restraint" means an act of restraining, the state of being restrained. As a noun, it is defined as: an act of restraining, the state of being restrained. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Restraint"?

Other words for "Restraint" include constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression and reserve. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Restraint" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Restraint"?

There are 75 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Restraint". Common alternatives include constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, self-command and self-control.

What is the opposite of "Restraint"?

Antonyms of "Restraint" include disinhibition, incontinence and unconstraint. Near antonyms include self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness and gratification.

How do you use "Restraint" in a sentence?

Examples of "Restraint" in a sentence: "it will take a great deal of restraint to keep from telling her how ugly that dress is"; "civil libertarians contend that the new laws place too many restraints on our constitutionally guaranteed rights"; "he shows very little restraint or tact when expressing his opinions about others".

Is "Restraint" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Restraint" is a noun.

Is "Restraint" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Restraint" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Restraint"?

"Restraint" is pronounced /ri-ˈstrānt/ and divided into syllables as re·straint.