English dictionary



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English verb: restrain

1. restrain (social) keep under control; keep in check


SamplesSuppress a smile.
Keep your temper.
Keep your cool.


Synonymshold back, keep, keep back


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody.
Somebody ----s somebody PP


Broader (hypernym)bottle up, inhibit, suppress


Narrower (hyponym)bottle up, check, confine, contain, control, curb, hold, hold, hold in, inhibit, moderate, suppress

2. restrain (change) place limits on (extent or access)


SamplesRestrict the use of this parking lot.
Limit the time you can spend with your friends.


Synonymsbound, confine, limit, restrict, throttle, trammel


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody PP.
Somebody ----s something PP


Broader (hypernym)check, contain, control, curb, hold, hold in, moderate


Narrower (hyponym)baffle, clamp down, constrain, constrain, crack down, cramp, cumber, draw a line, draw the line, encumber, gate, halter, hamper, harness, inhibit, mark off, mark out, reduce, regulate, rein, restrain, rule, stiffen, strangle, tie, tighten, tighten, tighten up

3. restrain (contact) to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement


SamplesThis 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.


ExamplesThey want to restrain the prisoners


Synonymsconfine, hold


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)disable, disenable, incapacitate


Narrower (hyponym)bind, enchain, fetter, fold, ground, impound, pen up, pinion, pound, pound, pound up, shackle, shackle, tie down, tie up, truss

4. restrain (contact) hold back


Synonymsconstrain, cumber, encumber


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)bound, confine, limit, restrain, restrict, throttle, trammel


Narrower (hyponym)bridle, clog, curb

5. restrain (emotion) to compel or deter by or as if by threats


Synonymsintimidate


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)discourage


Narrower (hyponym)dash, daunt, frighten away, frighten off, pall, scare, scare away, scare off


Entailwarn









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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