restraint
calm self-control; moderation
The ability to stop yourself from doing or saying too much, especially when you feel strong emotions.
to show [restraint] (in/over [something])
- 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.
- 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.
rule or condition that limits
Something that controls or limits what is possible or allowed, such as a rule or lack of money.
a restraint on [something]
- 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.
- 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.
device that restricts movement
A belt, strap, or other device that holds a person or animal so they cannot move freely.
a [type] restraint on [body part/person]
- 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.
- 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.
act of physically holding back
When people are held or controlled by others so that they cannot move or escape.
to use [physical restraint] on [someone]
- 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.
- 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.
- Base: restraint
- Plural: restraint, restraints
exercise restraint
1deliberately use self-control
To decide to control your behavior or emotions and not do as much as you want to do.
- 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
1limiting normal business competition
Used to describe actions or agreements that stop normal competition between businesses.
- 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
1limit on business competition
A legal or business limit that stops companies from competing freely with each other.
- 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
1behave with self-control
To control your emotions or actions and not react too strongly, especially when you are angry or upset.
- 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
1apply self-control
To control your actions or words so that you do not do too much or go too far.
- 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
1in a controlled, moderate way
In a way that is calm and not too strong or extreme.
- 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
1without control or limits
In a way that has no control or limits; freely and often too much.
- 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.