Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
1,520,708,955 visitors served.
forum mailing list For webmasters
?
New: Language forums
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

restrained

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.04 sec.
re·strain  (r-strn)
tr.v. re·strained, re·strain·ing, re·strains
1.
a. To hold back or keep in check; control: couldn't restrain the tears.
b. To hold (a person) back; prevent: restrained them from going.
2. To deprive of freedom or liberty.
3. To limit or restrict.

[Middle English restreinen, from Old French restraindre, restreign-, from Latin restringere, to bind back; see restrict.]

re·straina·ble adj.
re·strained·ly (-strnd-l) adv.
re·strainer n.
Synonyms: restrain, curb, check, bridle, inhibit
These verbs mean to hold back or keep under control. Restrain implies restriction or limitation, as on one's freedom of action: "a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another" (Thomas Jefferson).
To curb is to restrain as if with reins: "You might curb your magnanimity" (John Keats).
Check implies arresting or stopping, often suddenly or forcibly: "a light to guide, a rod/To check the erring" (William Wordsworth).
To bridle is often to hold in or govern one's emotions or passions: I tried with all my might to bridle my resentment.
Inhibit usually connotes a check on one's actions, thoughts, or emotions: A fear of strangers inhibited his ability to travel.

restrained
Adjective
not displaying emotion
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.restrainedrestrained - cool and formal in manner            
undemonstrative - not given to open expression of emotion
2.restrained - under restraint
controlled - restrained or managed or kept within certain bounds; "controlled emotions"; "the controlled release of water from reservoirs"
inhibited - held back or restrained or prevented; "in certain conditions previously inhibited conditioned reactions can reappear"
reserved - marked by self-restraint and reticence; "was habitually reserved in speech, withholding her opinion"-Victoria Sackville-West
unrestrained - not subject to restraint; "unrestrained laughter"
3.restrained - marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes; "moderate in his demands"; "restrained in his response"
temperate - not extreme in behavior; "temperate in his habits"; "a temperate response to an insult"; "temperate in his eating and drinking"
4.restrained - not showy or obtrusive; "clothes in quiet good taste"
unostentatious, unpretending, unpretentious - not ostentatious; "his unostentatious office"; "unostentatious elegance"
5.restrained - prudent; "guarded optimism"
cautious - showing careful forethought; "reserved and cautious; never making swift decisions"; "a cautious driver"

restrained
adjective 2. unobtrusive, discreet, subdued, tasteful, quiet << OPPOSITE garish
Translations
restrained [rɪsˈtreɪnd] adj [style] → reservado
restrained [rɪsˈtreɪnd] adj [style] → sobre; [manner] → mesuré(e)
restrained [rɪsˈtreɪnd] restrain adj (person) → beherrscht;
(style etc) → zurückhaltend
restrained [rɪsˈtreɪnd] adj [style] → contenuto/a, sobrio/a; [manner] → riservato/a


How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
With me they had been like older brothers; had restrained their speech and manners out of care for me, and given me so much good comradeship.
By this method the ardour of research in that direction would have been restrained without infringing the sacred privileges of science.
Frederica was no more altered than Lady Susan; the same restrained manners, the same timid look in the presence of her mother as heretofore, assured her aunt of her situation being uncomfortable, and confirmed her in the plan of altering it.
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.