restraint
gb/ɹɪstɹˈeɪnt/ us/ɹɪstɹˈeɪnt/
B2
Inglés
~ 5700
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Sustantivo
B2
property
1
calm self-control; moderation
The ability to stop yourself from doing or saying too much, especially when you feel strong emotions.
Patrón de uso:
to show [restraint] (in/over [something])
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes say *"do restraint"* instead of *"show restraint"* or *"exercise restraint"*. They also confuse *"restraint"* (self-control) with *"restriction"* (a rule that limits you). Use *"restraint"* for inner control of behavior or emotions, and *"restriction"* or *"limit"* for outside rules.
Sinónimos
self-control (More common in everyday speech and clearly focuses on controlling yourself; very close in meaning.)
|
moderation (Stresses not doing something too much; a bit broader and less focused on emotions.)
Antónimos
indulgence (Suggests giving in to desires without holding back, the opposite of holding yourself in.)
|
impulsiveness (Focuses on acting quickly without thinking or control, the opposite of restraint.)
Colocaciones
show restraint
|exercise restraint
|with great restraint
|display remarkable restraint
|act with restraint
|a lack of restraint
Temas
emotions
|psychology
|behavior
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- Despite their anger, the protesters showed remarkable restraint and remained peaceful.
- He answered the rude question with restraint, keeping his voice calm and steady.
- The judge urged both sides to exercise restraint in their comments to the media.
- Her writing is a study in restraint, never using more words than necessary.
- Parents are asked to show restraint and not shout at the referees during the game.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- She showed great restraint and did not shout at him.
- Please exercise restraint and do not post that angry message online.
- He spoke with restraint and chose his words carefully.
- They felt very upset, but they acted with restraint.
- The teacher asked the students to show restraint during the exam.
Sustantivo
B2
entity
2
rule or condition that limits
Something that controls or limits what is possible or allowed, such as a rule or lack of money.
Patrón de uso:
a restraint on [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners often confuse *"restraint"* with *"constraint"*. Both can mean a limit, but *"constraint"* is more common for practical or physical limits (*"time constraints"*, *"technical constraints"*), while *"restraint"* is more common for legal, financial, or moral limits (*"legal restraints"*, *"budgetary restraints"*).
Sinónimos
restriction (Very close in meaning; slightly more common for rules and laws that limit what is allowed.)
|
limitation (General word for something that makes progress or growth difficult; can be physical, legal, or practical.)
Antónimos
freedom (The condition of having few or no limits; the opposite of having restraints on action.)
|
license (Suggests freedom to act as you wish, sometimes too freely, without normal restraints.)
Colocaciones
restraints on spending
|budgetary restraints
|legal restraints
|restraints on trade
|financial restraints
|strict restraints
Temas
business
|law
|economics
|society
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The new law places strict restraints on campaign spending.
- Due to financial restraints, the company canceled several planned projects.
- There are few restraints on the power of social media companies in this country.
- Parents often complain about the lack of legal restraints on violent video games.
- Environmental restraints must be considered before building on this land.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The school has many restraints on student use of phones.
- Because of money restraints, we cannot travel this year.
- New rules put restraints on how much water farmers can use.
- There are no restraints on how long you can stay here.
- The project failed because of time restraints.
Sustantivo
B2
entity
3
device that restricts movement
A belt, strap, or other device that holds a person or animal so they cannot move freely.
Patrón de uso:
a [type] restraint on [body part/person]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes misunderstand *"restraints"* in medical or legal news as emotional control. When you read about *"wrist restraints"*, *"ankle restraints"*, or *"child restraints in cars"*, it refers to physical devices, not self-control.
Sinónimos
safety harness (A specific type of restraint used mainly for safety in vehicles, work sites, or sports.)
|
strap (A simple type of restraint; more general and does not always imply control of a person.)
Antónimos
release (The act or state of being set free from a restraint or device.)
|
freedom of movement (Describes being able to move without physical devices holding you; the opposite condition.)
Colocaciones
safety restraints
|seat restraints
|wrist restraints
|use restraints
|physical restraints
|child restraints
Temas
medicine
|law
|safety
|health
|technology
|body
Ejemplos
- The patient was placed in soft wrist restraints to prevent him from pulling out the tubes.
- All children must use approved child restraints while traveling in the car.
- The airline was fined for failing to provide enough safety restraints for passengers.
- Police used leg restraints to keep the suspect from kicking during transport.
- The dog wore a special restraint to stop it from jumping out of the vehicle.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Please fasten your restraint before the car starts.
- The nurse checked that the restraints were not too tight.
- The child’s seat restraint kept her safe in the accident.
- They used a soft restraint so the man could not hurt himself.
- The dog has a restraint so it cannot run into the road.
Sustantivo
C1
action
4
act of physically holding back
When people are held or controlled by others so that they cannot move or escape.
Patrón de uso:
to use [physical restraint] on [someone]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes think *"restraint"* here means emotional control. In phrases like *"the use of restraint by police"* or *"physical restraint"*, it usually means physically controlling a person, not staying calm.
Sinónimos
detention (Focuses more on being kept in a place, not specifically on the physical act of holding someone still.)
|
immobilization (Technical term for making it impossible to move; often used in medical and safety contexts.)
Antónimos
release (The act of allowing someone to move freely again after restraint.)
|
liberation (A stronger word suggesting being set free from control or restraint.)
Colocaciones
physical restraint
|use restraint on
|under restraint
|held in restraint
|manual restraint
|chemical restraint
Temas
law
|medicine
|safety
|health
|body
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- Staff are trained to use physical restraint only as a last resort.
- The report found that the use of restraint on children in care homes had increased.
- Prison officers used minimal restraint while moving the inmate to another cell.
- The patient was briefly placed under restraint to prevent him from harming others.
- Human rights groups have raised concerns about the frequent use of mechanical restraint in the facility.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The guards used restraint to stop the man from escaping.
- Physical restraint should only be used when someone is in danger.
- The child was held in restraint for a short time.
- Doctors try to avoid the use of restraint when possible.
- The man was under restraint until he calmed down.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
restraint
AFI
GB/ɹɪstɹˈeɪnt/
US/ɹɪstɹˈeɪnt/
Sílabas y acento
re - straint (2 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (straint)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: restraint
- Plural: restraint, restraints
Familia de palabras
Forms
restraints
noun
Core family
restrain
verb B2
restrained
adjective
Related words
self-restraint
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unrestrained
adjective
Expresiones
exercise restraint
1/ˈɛksɚsˌaɪz ɹɪstɹˈeɪnt/
fixed phrase
formal
deliberately use self-control
To decide to control your behavior or emotions and not do as much as you want to do.
Ejemplos
- Officials urged citizens to exercise restraint and avoid spreading rumors online.
- You should exercise restraint when commenting on sensitive political issues.
- Investors are advised to exercise restraint and not panic-sell their shares.
in restraint of trade
1/ˈɪn ɹɪstɹˈeɪnt əv tɹˈeɪd/
fixed phrase
technical
limiting normal business competition
Used to describe actions or agreements that stop normal competition between businesses.
Ejemplos
- The contract was found to be in restraint of trade and therefore unenforceable.
- Any agreement in restraint of trade will be carefully examined by the courts.
- They argued that the new regulation operates in restraint of trade.
restraint of trade
1/ɹɪstɹˈeɪnt əv tɹˈeɪd/
fixed phrase
technical
limit on business competition
A legal or business limit that stops companies from competing freely with each other.
Ejemplos
- The court ruled that the agreement was an illegal restraint of trade.
- Non-compete clauses can be seen as a restraint of trade if they are too broad.
- The company denied that its policies operated in restraint of trade.
show restraint
1/ʃˈoʊ ɹɪstɹˈeɪnt/
fixed phrase
behave with self-control
To control your emotions or actions and not react too strongly, especially when you are angry or upset.
Ejemplos
- The coach asked the players to show restraint and not argue with the referee.
- She showed remarkable restraint and did not respond to the insult.
- Leaders must show restraint when using their power.
use restraint
1/jˈuz ɹɪstɹˈeɪnt/
fixed phrase
apply self-control
To control your actions or words so that you do not do too much or go too far.
Ejemplos
- Please use restraint when posting comments on social media.
- Journalists should use restraint in publishing graphic images.
- He tried to use restraint and not yell at his team.
with restraint
1/wˈɪθ ɹɪstɹˈeɪnt/
fixed phrase
in a controlled, moderate way
In a way that is calm and not too strong or extreme.
Ejemplos
- The movie uses music with restraint, which makes the emotional scenes more powerful.
- He decorated the room with restraint, choosing only a few simple pieces.
- The speaker talked about her success with restraint, without bragging.
without restraint
1/wɪðˈaʊt ɹɪstɹˈeɪnt/
fixed phrase
without control or limits
In a way that has no control or limits; freely and often too much.
Ejemplos
- They spent money without restraint during the holiday season.
- The children laughed without restraint at the clown’s silly tricks.
- Power used without restraint can quickly become dangerous.