restrain

verb

prevent the action or expression of

prevent (someone or something) from doing something

restrict (someone or something) so as to make free movement difficult

to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement

Roots

stringo-strain · Latin · draw tight, bind

Synonyms for restrain

constrainv confinev holdv restrictv keepv subduev stiflev repressv reinv suppressv straitenv enchainv curbv

Synonyms & related words for restrain

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of restrain — including constrain, confine, hold, restrict, keep, subdue. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to restrain

Explore words related to restrain — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include cohibit, unrestrainable, restrainable, reinless, constrainable, bridler, restraint, restrainedly. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for restrain

Common synonyms for restrain include constrain, confine, hold, restrict, keep, subdue, stifle, repress — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does restrain come from?

The word restrain breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root -strain, from Latin stringo (“draw tight, bind”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.