restrain Definition
- 1prevent someone or something from doing something; keep under control or within limits
- 2prevent (a person or animal) from doing harm or acting in a violent or undisciplined way
Using restrain: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "restrain" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The police officer had to restrain the suspect.
Example
She restrained herself from making a rude comment.
Example
The company is trying to restrain costs.
Example
The dog was restrained by its owner.
restrain Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using restrain
Example
He threw caution to the wind and quit his job without having another one lined up.
Example
I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
Example
The company tried to keep a lid on the scandal, but eventually it became public.
Phrases with restrain
Example
I had to restrain myself from eating the whole cake.
Example
The company was accused of restraint of trade for forcing suppliers to sell only to them.
a device or system used to prevent injury in a vehicle or other moving object by restraining passengers during sudden movements
Example
The car's restraint system kept the passengers safe during the accident.
Origins of restrain
from Old French 'restreindre', from Latin 'restringere', meaning 'to bind back'
Summary: restrain in Brief
To 'restrain' [rɪˈstreɪn] is to prevent someone or something from doing something, or to keep them under control. It can refer to physical restraint, as in 'The dog was restrained by its owner,' or self-restraint, as in 'She restrained herself from making a rude comment.' The phrase 'restraint of trade' refers to an illegal or unethical business practice, while 'restraint system' is a device used to prevent injury in a vehicle. Idioms include 'throw caution to the wind(s),' 'let the cat out of the bag,' and 'keep a lid on something.'