Word
restrain
Phoneticsre·strain, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈstɹeɪn/
UK/ɹɪstɹˈeɪn/
Definitions
01to control feelings or behavior
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to keep your emotions or actions under control so you do not do something too much.
v. to prevent oneself from displaying a strong emotion or acting on an impulse. Transitive, often used with a reflexive pronoun.
“She had to restrain her anger when the customer was rude to her.”
“The diplomat had to restrain his frustration during the negotiations, maintaining a neutral expression despite the provocative remarks from the other side.”
02to physically stop someone
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to use physical force to stop someone from moving or doing something.
v. to prevent someone from moving or acting by using physical force or equipment.
“It took three security guards to restrain the man who tried to run onto the field.”
“The paramedics were forced to restrain the patient for his own safety while the medication took effect.”
03to limit or restrict
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
v. to limit the growth or power of something.
v. to place limits or restrictions on the growth, development, or influence of an entity.
“The government introduced new laws to restrain the rising cost of housing.”
“Economists argue that high interest rates are necessary to restrain inflation, even if they temporarily slow down industrial production.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object; often used with 'from' when describing an action being prevented.
Pitfall
He restrained to shout
He restrained himself from shouting
Restrain is not followed by an infinitive; it requires a reflexive pronoun and the preposition 'from' plus a gerund.
Real-World Examples
“It may also alter the immune environment around the tumor in a way that helps the immune system attack or restrain the cancer.” “It showed a man shouting as a security guard tried to restrain him and remove him from the building.” Etymology
From Middle English restreinen, from Old French restreindre, from Latin rēstringere (“fasten, tighten”).
From re- + strain.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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