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re-strain

B2
UK/rɪˈstreɪn/US/rɪˈstreɪn/

Formal to neutral. More common in formal, legal, academic, or news contexts than in casual conversation.

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Definition

Meaning

to physically or psychologically prevent someone or something from moving, acting, or expressing freely; to control or limit something.

Can extend to controlling impulses, emotions (restrain one's anger), spending (restrain expenditure), or limiting the spread or effect of something (restrain inflation). Also used in legal contexts (restraining order).

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Often implies the use of force, authority, or self-discipline to impose limits. Has a connotation of preventing an undesirable or excessive action.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in core meaning or usage patterns. Spelling is the same.

Connotations

Identical connotations of control, limitation, and prevention.

Frequency

Slightly more common in American legal and journalistic contexts (e.g., 'restraining order'), but overall frequency is similar.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
restrain someone/somethingrestrain oneselfrestrain inflationrestrain spendingrestrain trade
medium
severely restrainpartially restrainlegally restrainphysically restrain
weak
barely restrainstruggle to restraintry to restraindifficult to restrain

Grammar

Valency Patterns

restrain + object (person/thing)restrain + object + from + gerund (He restrained her from leaving.)reflexive: restrain + oneself

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

subdueconstrainsuppressinhibit

Neutral

controlcheckcurbhold back

Weak

limitmoderatetemperkeep in check

Vocabulary

Antonyms

releasefreeliberateunleashencourageincite

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “With restraint”
  • “A restraining order”
  • “A lack of restraint”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

"The central bank moved to restrain credit growth."

Academic

"The study examines factors that restrain democratic development."

Everyday

"I had to restrain myself from eating the whole cake."

Technical

"The harness is designed to restrain the occupant during impact."

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • The police officer had to restrain the agitated individual.
  • The government introduced measures to restrain public expenditure.

American English

  • The sheriff used handcuffs to restrain the suspect.
  • The Fed aims to restrain inflation without causing a recession.

adverb

British English

  • He spoke restrainedly about the controversy.

American English

  • She smiled restrainedly, not wanting to appear too eager.

adjective

British English

  • The restrained use of colour created an elegant effect.

American English

  • She gave a restrained performance, full of subtle emotion.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • The dog was too strong, and I couldn't restrain it.
  • You should restrain your excitement.
B1
  • The security guard restrained the shoplifter until the police arrived.
  • It's important to restrain your spending if you want to save money.
B2
  • The treaty includes provisions to restrain the development of certain weapons.
  • Despite his anger, he managed to restrain himself from making a rude comment.
C1
  • Judges have considerable power to restrain the executive branch through judicial review.
  • The artist's earlier, more restrained style evolved into something far more flamboyant.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a STRAIN (a force or pressure). To RE-STRAIN is to apply a force back AGAINST an action, holding it in.

Conceptual Metaphor

CONTROL IS HOLDING BACK; EMOTIONS/IMPULSES ARE FORCES THAT MUST BE CONTAINED.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Не переводить как "напрягать" или "напрягаться" (это 'to strain').
  • Не путать с 'restrict' (ограничивать правила/доступ). 'Restrain' чаще о физическом действии или импульсе.
  • С осторожностью использовать с глаголами восприятия/чувств. "Restrain from laughing" — сдержаться от смеха.

Common Mistakes

  • Incorrect: *He restrained to shout. Correct: He restrained himself from shouting.
  • Incorrect: *The law will restrain pollution. (Possible but less idiomatic than 'control' or 'reduce').
  • Overuse in informal contexts where 'stop', 'hold back', or 'control' might be more natural.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The new regulations are designed to the power of large technology companies.
Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences uses 'restrain' INCORRECTLY?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

'Restrain' typically implies physical or forceful holding back of a person/action/impulse. 'Restrict' means to limit access, movement, or scope by rules. 'Constrain' often implies being forced into a specific action or limitation by external factors or pressure.

Yes, but it's less common. It can describe controlled, moderate, or subtle action (e.g., 'a restrained elegance', 'restrained praise'). However, the core sense often involves preventing something negative.

It is neutral to formal. In everyday speech, people might use simpler synonyms like 'hold back', 'stop', or 'control'. It is very common in formal, legal, and journalistic contexts.

A legal order issued by a court to prohibit one person from approaching or contacting another, typically for protection from harassment or violence.