Words / C1

ri-STRAYN/rɪˈstreɪn/

To restrain is to hold back a person, feeling, or action: restrain a laugh, restrained by the rules. Restrict (already in the dictionary) is limit what is allowed; constraint is the limiting factor. Restraint is the noun (show restraint). Strain is tension — different word. Do not restrain a budget in this sense; that is cut or freeze.

Meaning

To hold back an action, feeling, or person.

Examples

• “She restrained the urge to reply in all capitals.”
• “Marshals restrained the crowd at the gate, which is the physical sense.”
• “She restrained the sarcastic PS; the report stayed on the figures.”

Good to know

Hold back. Noun: restraint. Cousin: restrict (limit by rule). Mix-up: strain (tension). Money: cut/freeze, not restrain.

Near in meaning

hold back

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