1
as in discipline
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in temperance
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
he shows very little restraint or tact when expressing his opinions about others
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 restraint
Surely now is the time to exercise financial restraint.
—
John Deffenbaugh, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
Trump's move, coming after weeks of rising tensions in the Middle East, reflected a willingness by the administration to participate directly in overseas security operations—departing from the restraint that characterized much of Trump's second-term foreign policy.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
At its core, Wimbledon is a British brand built on restraint: the all-white dress code, the absence of in-your-face, on-court branding, the strawberries and cream.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Critics say Trump has only become more dangerous, pursuing radical ideas without restraint.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
John Deffenbaugh, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
Trump's move, coming after weeks of rising tensions in the Middle East, reflected a willingness by the administration to participate directly in overseas security operations—departing from the restraint that characterized much of Trump's second-term foreign policy.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
At its core, Wimbledon is a British brand built on restraint: the all-white dress code, the absence of in-your-face, on-court branding, the strawberries and cream.
—Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Critics say Trump has only become more dangerous, pursuing radical ideas without restraint.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for restraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for restraint
Noun
-
Share Your Commitments With Others Share your commitments to drive discipline.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
But earth sign parents can also lean toward being stubborn and strict, which may cause friction during a stand off or while navigating discipline or tough conversations.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Justice Department stopped defending federal handgun rule In a move alarming to groups working to prevent gun violence, the DOJ declined to continue to defend a federal law setting 21 as the minimum age to own a handgun after an appeals court ruled the restriction unconstitutional.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
-
Many of these same countries impose significant restrictions on pharmaceuticals and medical devices, products the manufacture of which the United States excels.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
Accountability, collaboration, courage, humility, justice, temperance, drive, integrity, judgment, transcendence, and humanity.—
Lila MacLellan,
Fortune,
16 July 2025
-
Then there’s Ada who has used her newfound position to turn the Brook household into a refuge for causes like temperance, while Agnes looks on horrified.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
The Bukele administration has unleashed a wave of repression over the past few months.—
Andrea Salcedo,
NPR,
17 July 2025
-
And how Russian composers, those who stayed and those who left, dealt with militarism, nationalism and the threat of repression has never felt more relevant.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
The graphic novel format gave him the freedom to imagine without limitation—unbound by the logistical constraints of filmmaking.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
14 July 2025
-
Davis is a magnetic front man, and the Roadhouse Band is an intoxicatingly raucous live outfit, but the constraints of the setup suited his new material, which is suffused with listlessness and yearning, dark jokes and wordy disquisitions on desire.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
King has been out since mid-May with a nerve impingement near his right shoulder and is essentially in build-up mode.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
The researchers employed a range of advanced laboratory techniques to investigate nerve regeneration.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
Before the month comes to a close, Mercury will station retrograde in Leo, activating your 12th house of secrets, surrender and your subconscious, bringing up old memories or inhibitions that have been clouding your clarity.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
Reservations and inhibitions have a way of slipping away in the Snake Pit.—
Shari Rudavsky,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
This can result in compromises on certain ideas and slower development as your team contends with the platform's limitations.—
Andrii Kovalchuk,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
This is especially relevant for those who can't upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restraint. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share