Definition

1. Noun:
   • A device that limits or controls movement: A physical object or mechanism designed to hold something back or secure it in place.
   • The quality of being moderate, controlled, or unadorned: The act or style of avoiding excess, flamboyance, or emotional display.
   • A rule, law, or condition that restricts freedom: An official limitation or control placed on actions, activities, or behaviors.
   • The act of holding someone or something back; confinement: The state of being physically prevented from moving freely or the action of imposing such a state.
   • Self-control; discipline over one's feelings or actions: The ability to manage one's impulses, emotions, or behaviors.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The car's safety restraints include seat belts and airbags. (Referring to devices.)
  • She decorated the room with elegant restraint, using only neutral colors. (Referring to moderation in style.)
  • The new law places restraints on industrial pollution. (Referring to legal restrictions.)
  • The violent patient was placed in restraint for everyone's safety. (Referring to physical confinement.)
  • He showed great restraint by not responding to the insult. (Referring to self-control.)

Advanced Usage

• "Under restraint": Being physically confined or controlled.
  • The dangerous animal is kept under restraint.
• "Without restraint": Acting freely, without control or limitation.
  • The children laughed without restraint.
• "Exercise restraint": To deliberately use self-control.
  • The government urged both sides to exercise restraint.

Variants and Related Words

• Restrain (verb): To hold back, control, or limit.
  • The police officer had to restrain the suspect.
• Restrained (adjective): Characterized by reserve, control, or moderation.
  • His reaction was surprisingly restrained.
• Self-restraint (noun): Control over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires.
  • Dieting requires a lot of self-restraint.

Synonyms

• Constraint: A limitation or restriction.
• Control: The power to influence or direct behavior.
• Curb: A check or restraint on something.
• Moderation: The avoidance of excess or extremes.
• Discipline: The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior.

Related Phrases

• Restraint of trade: An action that interferes with free competition in a market.
  • The merger was investigated for possible restraint of trade.
• Moral restraint: Control based on ethical principles.
  • He argued for moral restraint in public life.

Noun

1. a device that retards something's motion
   • the car did not have proper restraints fitted
2. lack of ornamentation
   • the room was simply decorated with great restraint
3. a rule or condition that limits freedom
   • legal restraints
   • restraints imposed on imports
4. the state of being physically constrained
   • dogs should be kept under restraint
5. discipline in personal and social activities
   • he was a model of polite restraint
   • she never lost control of herself
6. the act of controlling by restraining someone or something
   • the unlawful restraint of trade