C1nounformalpsychologysociety
US/rɪˈstreɪnt/
UK/rɪˈstreɪnt/
calm control over your actions or feelings, or a rule or limit that controls what people may do
In context
The police showed great restraint and did not respond to the angry crowd.
After the holidays, I need to practice some restraint when I shop online.
Financial restraints forced the school to cancel its summer trip this year.
Words that go with restraint
verb + noun
- show restraintBoth leaders must show restraint to avoid a war.
- exercise restraintInvestors were asked to exercise restraint during the crisis.
adjective + noun
- great restraintThe goalkeeper reacted with great restraint after the foul.
noun + noun
- wage restraintThe government called for wage restraint to fight inflation.
- budget restraintBudget restraint has slowed hiring across the company.
noun + preposition
- restraint in spendingExperts urge restraint in spending until prices settle.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
She has a restraint of her anger.Correct: She showed great restraint.