Word definition: restrain

Defiintion of restrain:

[v] place limits on (extent or access); "restrict the use of this parking lot"; "limit the time you can spend with your friends"
[v] hold back
[v] to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement; "This holds the local until the express passengers change trains"; "About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade"; "The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center"; "The terrorists held the journalists for ransom"
[v] to compel or deter by or as if by threats
[v] keep under control; keep in check; "suppress a smile"; "Keep your temper"; "keep your cool"

Synonyms of restrain:

bound, confine, constrain, cumber, encumber, hold, hold back, intimidate, keep, keep back, limit, restrict, suppress, throttle, trammel

Antonyms of restrain:


See Also:

baffle, bind, bottle up, bound, bridle, check, check, clamp down, clog, confine, confine, constrain, contain, contain, control, control, crack down, cramp, cumber, curb, curb, curb, dash, daunt, disable, discourage, disenable, draw a line, draw the line, enchain, encumber, fetter, fold, frighten away, frighten off, gate, ground, halter, hamper, harness, hold, hold, hold in, hold in, impound, incapacitate, inhibit, limit, mark off, mark out, moderate, moderate, pall, pen up, pinion, pound, pound up, prevent, quench, reduce, regulate, rein, restrain, restrain, restrict, rule, scare, scare away, scare off, shackle, stiffen, strangle, throttle, tie, tie down, tie up, tighten, tighten up, trammel, truss, warn

Webster Dictionary (1913) for restrain:

\Re*strain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Restrained}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Restraining}.] [OE. restreinen, F. restreindre, fr.
L. restringere, restrictum; pref. re- re- + stringere to
draw, bind, or press together. See {Strain}, v. t., and cf.
{Restrict}.]
1. To draw back again; to hold back from acting, proceeding,
   or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by any
   interposing obstacle; to repress or suppress; to keep
   down; to curb.

         Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives
         way to in repose!                     --Shak.

2. To draw back toghtly, as a rein. [Obs.] --Shak.

3. To hinder from unlimited enjoiment; to abridge.

         Though they two were committed, at least restrained
         of their liberty.                     --Clarendon.

4. To limit; to confine; to restrict. --Trench.

         Not only a metaphysical or natural, but a moral,
         universality also is to be restrained by a part of
         the predicate.                        --I. Watts.

5. To withhold; to forbear.

         Thou restrained prayer before God.    --Job. xv. 4.

Syn: To check; hinder; stop; withhold; repress; curb;
     suppress; coerce; restrict; limit; confine.