1
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
2
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restrain
The Washington Post via Getty Images Ellis asked Monday about several instances in which tear gas was deployed after her order restraining its use.
—
Daniella Silva, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
Amy Morrell, 53, a direct care staff member at the school, and other staff were attempting to restrain the teen, who officials say had been trying to leave a dorm building without permission, when the student allegedly kicked her in the chest, according to the district attorney's office.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
The measure has since been watered down and now requires children between the ages of 8 to 16, starting in 2027, to pass a five-step test to be considered properly restrained by a seat belt.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
In Massachusetts, Turkish national and Tufts University grad student Rümeysa Öztürk was physically restrained by six plainclothes officers, most of whom were wearing face coverings.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restrain
Daniella Silva, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
Amy Morrell, 53, a direct care staff member at the school, and other staff were attempting to restrain the teen, who officials say had been trying to leave a dorm building without permission, when the student allegedly kicked her in the chest, according to the district attorney's office.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
The measure has since been watered down and now requires children between the ages of 8 to 16, starting in 2027, to pass a five-step test to be considered properly restrained by a seat belt.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
In Massachusetts, Turkish national and Tufts University grad student Rümeysa Öztürk was physically restrained by six plainclothes officers, most of whom were wearing face coverings.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for restrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrain
Verb
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Hill said his tribe’s gaming operations are highly regulated, unlike bars, and are subject to annual audits and reporting to the state.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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The biannual time shift tends to affect peoples’ circadian rhythms — the body’s 24-hour clock — which regulate several physiological processes.—
Hannah Poukish
October 27,
Miami Herald,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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An 18-year old wanted on multiple felony charges was arrested Monday after officers rammed his vehicle in West Memphis, the Arkansas State Police said in a news release Wednesday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Oct. 2025
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Police confirmed Wednesday that six people had been arrested in relation to the violence.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Their innovation, called retina E-paper, uses nanoparticles to control how light scatters, achieving lifelike color reproduction that can be tuned electrically.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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Earlier this year, a New York judge held that Nicklaus controls licensing of his NIL, including for golf course designs, but that Nicklaus Companies owns the trademarks.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What’s more, after the Velvet Revolution of 1989, Czechs who had their property seized by the state were allowed to reclaim much of it through a restitution system – but not ethnic Germans who lost it under the post-war Benes decrees.—
Will Tizard,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
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As my daughter’s face paled, and a man in a clown mask stalked the aisles, panic seized my limbs.—
Christa Carmen,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Comparable in size to the Arc de Triomphe, the Porte Monumentale also contained surface ornamentation based on Haeckel’s exacting lifelong documentation of organisms to be found in the world’s oceans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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Along with the remains, deputies found a backpack with clothes inside, a water bottle and a diary that didn’t contain any writing that helped in identifying the woman, according to a news release by the DNA Doe Project.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Asian restaurant joins what has become an increasingly attractive section of Meridian for grabbing food.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Oct. 2025
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The Clinton years and the 1990s, defined by continuous domestic economic growth and headline-grabbing scandals, were a time when liberal idealism was so strong that Aaron Sorkin wrote a show about it.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The two sides also discussed American agricultural exports to China and Beijing’s role in helping curb the fentanyl trade.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
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Though the administration insists its operations are aimed at curbing drug trafficking, regional analysts suggest a broader strategic message.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hennie said the person was apprehended without incident.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
22 Oct. 2025
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Imperiale was apprehended in 2021 and later deported to Italy, where he is now incarcerated.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrain. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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