restraint
- 01 C1 Advanced
the ability to control your emotions or actions, especially when you are angry or excited.
the quality of self-control or emotional reserve. Uncountable in this abstract sense.
Simple“He showed great restraint by not shouting back at the rude customer.”
In context“The diplomat exercised remarkable restraint during the negotiations, refusing to be baited by the provocative remarks of his counterpart.”
UsageOften follows the verbs 'show', 'exercise', or 'practise'.
SynonymsAntonyms
“As for driving regulations in Portugal, bear in mind that, just as in Spain, you must wear a seatbelt and, if you are travelling with children, child restraint systems.”
“Nature, the elements and a certain forlorn eroticism infuse poetry that Hillborg responds to with tonal and dynamic restraint.”
From Middle English restreynte, from Old French restreinte; more at restrain.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.