restrain
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to keep your emotions or actions under control so you do not do something too much.
to prevent oneself from displaying a strong emotion or acting on an impulse. Transitive, often used with a reflexive pronoun.
Simple“She had to restrain her anger when the customer was rude to her.”
In context“The diplomat had to restrain his frustration during the negotiations, maintaining a neutral expression despite the provocative remarks from the other side.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to use physical force to stop someone from moving or doing something.
to prevent someone from moving or acting by using physical force or equipment.
Simple“It took three security guards to restrain the man who tried to run onto the field.”
In context“The paramedics were forced to restrain the patient for his own safety while the medication took effect.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
to limit the growth or power of something.
to place limits or restrictions on the growth, development, or influence of an entity.
Simple“The government introduced new laws to restrain the rising cost of housing.”
In context“Economists argue that high interest rates are necessary to restrain inflation, even if they temporarily slow down industrial production.”
“It showed a man shouting as a security guard tried to restrain him and remove him from the building.”
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.