We are constrained to and restrained from an action.
Source: tatoeba (22985)
Restrained
/ɹɪˈstɹeɪnd/
Synonyms for "restrained" (332 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (67)
Adjective(11 words)
abstemiousabstinentapollonianbatedchasterchiccircumspectcontrolled energycontrolled enthusiasmcontrolled experimentscontrolled investigation
Noun(6 words)
Adjective(1 words)
Strong matches (99)
coopedcordonedcordoned offcorralledcrampedcribbedcurbeddetacheddirectdiscreetdistanteasyelegantenclosedexcellentexpressionlessfencedfinishedforbiddingfrigid
Show 32 more words
frostyfrugalgracefulgracileguardedhedgedhemmedhemmed inhushedicyimmuredimpassiveimpersonalimprisonedin checkin controlin good tastein handin leading stringsin remissioninaccessibleincarceratedincommodiousincommunicableinhibitedintrovertedjailedleagueredlimitedlimpidlucidmeasured
Verb(18 words)
Adjective(17 words)
danish stilheddecorousdignifieddignified demeanordisciplineddoric ornamentforbearingformal proceduresfrench tensionguardedimmobilized limbinconspicuousjudiciousmeasured approachmeasured energy consumptionmeasured energy outputmeasured energy readings
Noun(10 words)
Adverb(1 words)
Adjective(1 words)
Related words (166)
Noun(18 words)
measured kinetic energiesmeasured physical quantitymeasured potential energiesmeasured trimmoderate safety categorymodestomore controlledmore measuredmore measured tonemost controlled enthusiasmmost measuredquiet remarkself censor languageself controlledtemporary immobilitytyiynunderactingunderplaying
Adjective(36 words)
measured performancemeasured quantitymeasured resultmeasured resultsmeasured tonemeasured valuesminimalist artminimalist designminimalist stylingmoderatemodest amountmutedmuted atmospherenondemonstrativepentprivate memorialquietquiet venuequieterreticent
Show 16 more words
sobersidedstaiderstoicalstraitjacketedsubdued floralssubdued smilesubtle nodtamed animaltemperate forest ecosystemtemperate stanceuncheerfulunderstated toneunemotionalunexpressiveunornate motifunsentimental
Verb(32 words)
mewedmoderatemodestnaturalneatnoncommittalof choiceof qualityoffisholympianon leashpaledpellucidpennedpent uppent-upperspicuousphlegmaticplainpleasing
Show 59 more words
polishedpurequarantinedquelledquietrailedreasonablerefinedremoteremovedrepressedreservedretardedreticentretiringroundshrinkingshut inshut-insilentsimpleslowed downsobersoftenedsparingstablestaidstandoffstandoffishstintingstraightforwardsubduedsuppressedtastefultastytemperatetemperedtersetrimunaffableunaffectedunapproachableuncongenialundemonstrativeunder controlunder disciplineunder restraintunderstatedunexcessiveunexpansiveunextremeungenialunlaboredunnaturalunobtrusivewalledwalled-inwell-chosenwithdrawn
Adjective(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: abstemious, abstinent, aesthetic, aloof, anger management.
- Sentence evidence is available for restrained, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "restrained".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "restrained"
Keep "restrained" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "restrained" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "restrained", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "restrained" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
11 entriesbehavior traitconstraintcontroldisciplineemotional regulationlimitationpersonality traitphysical controlrestraintself controlself-control
More specific
16 entriesCollocations
11 entriesrestrain angerrestrain curiosityrestrain impulserestrain movementrestrained behaviorrestrained budgetrestrained enthusiasmrestrained growthrestrained responserestrained tonerestraining order
Inflections
4 entriesDerivations
4 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
14 entriesSample sentences
13 total sentences available.
The speaker was restrained in his attitude.
Source: tatoeba (47946)
We restrained the boy from breaking the window.
Source: tatoeba (248123)
I wanted a hamburger, but I restrained myself.
Source: tatoeba (255443)
Showing 4 of 13 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "restrained"?
Closest matches include abstemious, abstinent, aesthetic, aloof, anger management.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "restrained"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.