restrained

[ri-streynd] / rɪˈstreɪnd /

ADJECTIVE

calm, quiet

Synonyms

STRONGEST

discreet laid-back mild muted reasonable reticent subdued tasteful unobtrusive

STRONG

chilled controlled cool moderate plain retiring shrinking steady withdrawn

WEAK

bottled-up calm and collected conservative corked up in charge in check inobtrusive on a leash self-controlled soft temperate unaffable undemonstrative under control under wraps unexcessive unexpansive unextreme uptight

Antonyms

STRONGEST

communicative

STRONG

extroverted friendly outgoing

WEAK

assured bold confident

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.

The third was restrained eating, which involves consciously limiting food intake to lose weight.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2026

Instead, he suffered a minor knee injury after he "fell to the ground, was restrained by law enforcement, and was placed under arrest," the department said.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

He fell to the ground, was restrained by law enforcement and placed under arrest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

However the IFS said even this "relatively restrained" approach would "still probably require some combination of cuts to other services, increases in taxes or improvements in public sector productivity".

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Citra found herself wanting to grip Rowan’s hand in anticipation and squeeze it until it was bloodless, but she restrained herself.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

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