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restrain

re·strain

restrain

 
 
pronunciation:
rih streIn
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: restrains, restraining, restrained
definition 1: to hold back or keep in check.
When the dog saw the squirrel, I couldn't restrain him.You need to restrain your anger when you talk to the neighbors.If there are snacks available, it's hard to restrain myself from eating them.
synonyms:
control, govern, hold, moderate
antonyms:
impel, incite, release, spur
similar words:
bind, bridle, chasten, check, chill, circumscribe, confine, constrain, contain, curb, damp, dampen, dominate, inhibit, leash, limit, regulate, rein, repress, restrict, smother, stay, stifle, stop, subdue, suppress, swallow, temper, withhold
definition 2: to take away the freedom or liberty of.
The police restrained the criminal with handcuffs.
 
synonyms:
bind, bridle, curb
antonyms:
free, release
similar words:
chain, check, fetter, harness, hold, leash, muzzle, rein in, shackle
definition 3: to limit or obstruct the activity, growth, or progress of.
He thought the very traditional art school was restraining his creativity.The drug appears to restrain the growth of cancerous cells.
synonyms:
circumscribe, confine, contain, control, limit, restrict
antonyms:
encourage, foster
similar words:
bound, chill, condition, constrict, curb, define, delimit, demarcate, encumber, hem in, immure, inhibit, pinch, qualify, slow, stop, stunt
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: restrainable (adj.), restrained (adj.), restrainedly (adv.), restrainingly (adv.)
Word PartsSubscriber feature About this feature