What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stint
Example
She worked a stint as a waitress before moving on to other jobs. [stint: noun]
Example
He was forced to limit his spending to a small stint of money each month. [stint: amount]
Example
The team had a difficult stint of games against tough opponents. [stint: period]
restraint
Example
He showed great restraint in not reacting to the insult. [restraint: self-control]
Example
The government imposed restraints on the use of natural resources. [restraint: limitation]
Example
The patient was placed in restraints to prevent them from harming themselves. [restraints: physical device]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Restraint is more commonly used than stint in everyday language. Restraint is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stint is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stint and restraint?
Both stint and restraint can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, restraint may be more commonly used in formal writing or speech due to its broader range of meanings and connotations.
