What does restrain mean?
Restrain is a formal verb meaning to hold back, control, or prevent a person, action, or impulse. It is commonly used for physical restraint, as in restraining someone from moving, and for emotional or behavioral self-control, as in restraining anger or excitement. The phrase “restrain someone from doing something” is especially frequent, while restrained can describe controlled behavior or a deliberately understated style. The word has a strong association with authority and limitation: one may restrain a crowd, restrain the use of force, or restrain access to a resource. In personal contexts, it often suggests deliberate effort and self-discipline. Derived forms include the adjective restrained and the noun restraint, both of which can describe control, moderation, or a lack of excess.
verbTo hold back, prevent, or limit the movement, action, or expression of someone or something. It can also mean to control oneself or keep one's emotions or impulses in check.
- To hold back or prevent someone or something from moving, acting, or proceeding.
- To control or limit one's own emotions, impulses, or behavior.
- To keep something within set limits, especially the use of force or resources.
"She restrained her excitement until the presentation was over."
"The police restrained the crowd as the parade passed."
"He struggled to restrain his anger during the argument."
The word restrain comes from a Latin image of pulling something back: Latin restringere meant to draw back or tie firmly.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does restrain come from?
Restrain comes from Old French restraindre, which was borrowed from Latin restringere, meaning “to draw back” or “to bind back tightly.” The Latin root combines re-, meaning “back,” with]stringere, meaning “to draw or bind.” English developed both the verb and related forms such as restraint and restriction from this origin.
Related word forms
How restrain is actually used
Restrain is formal but widely used in British and American English. In its second sense, it often describes a person controlling an impulse, emotion, or reaction rather than physically holding someone back.
Easily confused with restrain
Restrain emphasizes holding back an action, emotion, or movement, while constrain more often means imposing a limit or restriction on someone or something.
Restrain means to hold back or control, whereas retain means to keep something in your possession or continue to have it.