restraint

1
2
as in restriction
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

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 restraint The film is a smaller, more intimate project, that was born out of the restraints of the 2023 WGA and SAG strikes. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 22 Feb. 2025 He was charged with disorderly conduct, first-degree unlawful restraint, second-degree strangulation, violation of a protective order and second-degree threatening. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2025 Lynskey, who has previously talked about production restraints when filming that hunt in that season two finale, was the one who drew the card and ran from her friends, who seemed possessed when back in a wilderness setting. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025 It was struck down by the courts, which said such rules were an unfair restraint on the ability of athletes to capitalize on their NIL rights. Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for restraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraint
Noun
  • Trump’s style as President offers a case study in the risks of founder-style leadership without operational discipline.
    Paul Klein, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The office also oversees a large data collection project that tracks disparities in resources, course access and discipline for students of different racial and socioeconomic groups.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Los Angeles fires and recovery Malibu businesses are struggling in the aftermath of fire and continuing restrictions along Pacific Coast Highway.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2025
  • In fact, several places have issued stern warnings to partiers and restrictions this year.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The second report, released in December by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, caused a stir in the research and temperance communities.
    Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Where temperance crusaders once wielded biblical rhetoric, today’s public health researchers arrive with cancer studies and statistics.
    Jackie Snow, Quartz, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The regime has intensified its control through evil levels of repression over the past three years.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Zelensky ordered this punishing act of political repression without due process or court proceedings.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Food insecurity creates a combination of issues, from financial constraints, lack of access to affordable nutritious food, social and emotional stress, and affects the academic performance of college students, according to Talamantes.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2025
  • From Roadblock to Runway: Leveraging Regulatory Changes for Financial Innovation Fintechs that treat regulatory shifts as an opportunity rather than a constraint will be the ones that succeed in this new era.
    Nandan Sheth, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Neuropathy is a debilitating type of pain caused by injury or damage to nerves.
    Amy Brownstein, MS, RDN, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Connecting with others who have MS has proved 'really cathartic' Scout assists with Blair’s balance and eases her nerves about being in public.
    Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • And how could anyone resist letting go of pesky inhibitions with Herman’s empowering score filling up Pasadena Playhouse with pure effervescence.
    Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2024
  • This could be a time to release these inhibitions and accept new journeys rather than being stuck in old patterns.
    Athena Sobhan, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Lots has been said about Moore’s performance, about how the movie’s message dovetails so perfectly with Hollywood’s real deleterious limitations on aging actresses and the suffering that causes, Moore being a prime victim.
    Valerie Monroe, Allure, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Despite their limitations, electric weed eaters are better for the environment and quieter than gas weed eaters.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraint. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on restraint

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!