restrain

/ris'trein/

Thân thiện

The officer used a leash to restrain the excited dog.

Definition

Verb: 1. To prevent (someone or something) from doing something; to keep under control or within limits. * This is the core meaning, focusing on using force, authority, or self-control to stop an action or limit freedom. 2. To limit or restrict the extent, growth, or freedom of something. * This meaning emphasizes setting boundaries or controls on actions, movements, or development.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The police officer had to restrain the agitated individual. (The officer used physical force to prevent the person from moving or acting freely.)
  • She tried to restrain her laughter during the serious meeting. (She used self-control to stop herself from laughing.)
  • Laws restrain certain behaviors to maintain public order. (Laws set limits on what people are allowed to do.)
  • The leash restrains the dog from running into the street. (The leash physically limits the dog's movement.)

Advanced Usage

• "To restrain oneself": To exercise self-control; to stop oneself from doing something one wants to do.
  • He was angry but managed to restrain himself from shouting.
• "To be restrained by": To be limited or held back by a specific factor.
  • Scientific progress was restrained by a lack of funding.

Variants and Related Words

• Restraint (noun): 1. A measure or condition that limits freedom. 2. Self-control.
  • The prisoner was placed in restraints.
  • She showed great restraint in her criticism.
• Restrained (adjective): Characterized by reserve or moderation; not excessive or emotional.
  • He gave a restrained performance, full of subtle emotion.

Synonyms

• Curb: To restrain or keep in check (often used for feelings or actions).
• Suppress: To put an end to something by force; to prevent from being expressed.
• Constrain: To compel or force someone to follow a particular course of action; to restrict severely.
• Inhibit: To hinder, restrain, or prevent (an action or process).

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Restrain" is not commonly used with particles to form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed directly or with prepositions like "from.") * Hold back: Often used similarly to "restrain." * She held back her tears. (She restrained her tears.) * The dam holds back the water. (The dam restrains the water.)

Related Idioms

• "With restraint": Acting with self-control or moderation.
  • He responded to the provocation with remarkable restraint.
• "Without restraint": Acting freely, without control or limits.
  • The children played without restraint in the park.

Học thuật

Verb

1. to compel or deter by or as if by threats
2. hold back
3. to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement
   • This holds the local until the express passengers change trains
   • About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade
   • The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center
   • The terrorists held the journalists for ransom
4. place limits on (extent or access)
   • restrict the use of this parking lot
   • limit the time you can spend with your friends
5. keep under control; keep in check
   • suppress a smile
   • Keep your temper
   • keep your cool

Từ đồng nghĩa

• intimidate
• encumber
• cumber
• constrain
• confine
• hold
• restrict
• trammel
• limit
• bound
• throttle
• keep
• keep back
• hold back