Definitions

rein in

VERB

check

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arrest control curb halt prevent reduce stop

STRONG

baffle bar bit bottleneck bridle checkmate choke circumvent constrain counteract delay discourage foil frustrate harness hold impede inhibit interrupt limit moderate neutralize obstruct obviate pause preclude rebuff repress repulse retard snub squelch stay suppress tame terminate thwart withhold

WEAK

cut short hold back hold down hold in keep back nip in the bud play for time slacken pace slow down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid allow assist continue encourage help let go

STRONG

abet advance approve facilitate forward free permit release

WEAK

expedite indulge liberate

VERB

control

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adjust check contain limit regulate

STRONG

awe bridle collect compose constrain cool corner cow monopolize quell repress restrain smother subdue

WEAK

simmer down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disorganize

STRONG

agitate allow arouse disperse distribute free let go release scatter share start

WEAK

abandon chance forsake give up jump in relinquish renounce resign risk rush

VERB

curb

Synonyms

STRONGEST

constrain contain control hamper hinder impede inhibit restrain suppress tame

STRONG

abstain bit bridle check deny fetter hobble hog-tie hold down ice leash manacle moderate muzzle refrain retard scrub shackle subdue tie withhold

WEAK

bottle up box in bring to screeching halt cool down cool off entrammel hold back hold in keep lid on keep tight rein on send up tie up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance aid allow assist encourage facilitate forward free help let go permit promote release

STRONG

go ahead incite indulge liberate loose loosen

WEAK

foster

VERB

slow

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate curb curtail decelerate decrease diminish hinder impede lag lessen moderate reduce relax retard slacken stall temper

STRONG

brake check choke detain loiter mire postpone procrastinate qualify quiet reef regulate stunt

WEAK

anchor it back-water bog down cut back cut down ease off ease up embog hit the brakes hold back hold up keep waiting let down flaps lose speed lose steam reduce speed set back wind down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance agitate aid allow assist develop encourage enlarge excite expand extend facilitate forward further grow help increase lengthen prolong push raise strengthen

STRONG

accelerate do expedite liberate release

VERB

stop

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arrest avoid bar block break check close disrupt intercept interrupt stall stay stem suspend

STRONG

bottle choke clog congest fill fix forestall frustrate gag hinder hush impede muzzle obstruct occlude plug repress restrain seal silence staunch still stopper

WEAK

choke off cut off put a stop to shut down shut off shut out throw over turn off ward off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abet advance aid allow cause continue encourage go help let go open permit release

STRONG

assist clear disturb facilitate forward free liberate promote support unblock

WEAK

begin start

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Tensions ensued as the new investors sought to rein in what they viewed as Turner’s habit of making big decisions on a whim.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Even Torrance has taken steps to rein in gun dealers.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

But there has also been talk of cutbacks, with many parties promising to reduce the number of "quangos" and rein in the size of the public sector.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

It also, though, showed a simple possible way to rein in the president’s ability to overreach in his war-making power.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

At a loss for words, he just nodded while Glory tried to rein in Orion.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

rein in

Example Sentences

Related Words