Word
restraint
Phoneticsre·straint, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈstɹeɪnt/
UK/ɹɪstɹˈeɪnt/
日本語抑制※
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the ability to control your emotions or actions, especially when you are angry or excited.
n. the quality of self-control or emotional reserve. Uncountable in this abstract sense.
Examples
“He showed great restraint by not shouting back.”
“The police officer exercised admirable restraint when dealing with the aggressive crowd during the protest.”
“The treaty imposes significant restraints on the proliferation of nuclear weapons, requiring each signatory to submit to regular inspections by international observers.”
Examples
simple
“He showed great restraint by not shouting back.”
contextual
“The police officer exercised admirable restraint when dealing with the aggressive crowd during the protest.”
complex
“The treaty imposes significant restraints on the proliferation of nuclear weapons, requiring each signatory to submit to regular inspections by international observers.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “restraint” in context.
Verb
01. call for restraint
“International leaders have called for restraint to prevent the conflict from escalating.”
verb + prep + noun
02. exercise restraint
“The police were praised for exercising restraint during the heated protest.”
verb + noun
03. show restraint
“He showed remarkable restraint by not responding to the journalist's insults.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. admirable restraint
“She handled the criticism with admirable restraint and professionalism.”
adj + noun
05. physical restraint
“The hospital staff had to use physical restraint to ensure the patient's safety.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. lack of restraint
“The politician's lack of restraint on social media led to a public relations disaster.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
07. without restraint
“Once the news was confirmed, the crowd cheered without restraint.”
prep + noun
Usage
Often follows the verbs 'show', 'exercise', or 'practise'.
Real-World Examples
“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.” Etymology
From Middle English restreynte, from Old French restreinte; more at restrain.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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- Formal
QR code
englishreference.com/q/restraint
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0