Restrain
/rɪˈstreɪn/
verbB2
Definition
Restrain means to stop or control a person, animal, or thing from moving, acting, or growing freely. It often involves using force or rules to keep something or someone under control or within limits. This word is used in many situations, like stopping a person from fighting or controlling strong emotions.
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See It in Action
To hold back or control physical movement
- •The guard had to restrain the angry man from leaving the room.
- •She restrained her dog from running into the street.
- •The child was restrained by his mother to keep him safe.
To control or limit feelings or actions
- •He restrained his anger during the meeting.
- •She restrained herself from eating too much cake.
- •It is important to restrain your emotions in professional settings.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'restrain' like 'stop,' but with control and holding back, not just a full stop
- ✓Picture a dog on a leash being held so it cannot run away freely
- ✓It's the feeling when you want to shout but hold your voice quietly inside
- ✓Sounds like 're-STRAIN' → imagine pulling tight ropes to keep something from moving too much
- ✓Think of a police officer holding someone’s arm to stop them from running or fighting
- ✓NOT like 'free' (which means to let go), 'restrain' means to keep something or someone from going free
- ✓NOT like 'push' (which moves something forward), 'restrain' pulls or holds back to prevent movement
- ✓NOT like 'ignore' (which means not paying attention), 'restrain' means actively controlling or stopping
Try Other Words
- •Control: to have power over something (Use when you want to show managing or directing behavior or feelings)
- •Hold back: to stop from moving forward or expressing (Use when the action is less forceful or physical)
- •Confine: to keep within limits or boundaries (Use when talking about restricting space or movement)
- •Limit: to set a boundary or reduce (Use when talking about reducing amount or degree)
Unboxing
- •Prefix 're-': again or back, showing pulling back or stopping
- •Root 'strain': comes from Old French 'estraindre,' meaning to draw tight or bind
- •Etymology: from Latin 'restrainere,' meaning to hold back or keep under control
- •First used in English in the 15th century with the meaning to hold back or check movement or action
- •Today, it is used in physical, emotional, and legal contexts to mean stopping or controlling
Reflect & Connect
•When is it good to restrain your emotions, and when might it be better to express them?
•How can restraining something help or hurt a situation, like in rules or personal actions?
Fill in the blanks
1.The police had to restrain the suspect because he tried to ___ from the scene.
2.She restrained her laughter during the serious ___ to avoid being rude.
3.Unlike letting go, to restrain means to ___ movement or action.
4.In some sports, players are restrained from ___ certain moves to keep the game safe.
5.He was careful to restrain himself ___ making a quick decision without thinking.
6.When animals are restrained, they are often ___ with ropes or cages to keep them safe.
7.Restraining feelings can sometimes help in ___ difficult conversations calmly.