Definition of: restrain

(ri·strān′) v.t.
1. To hold back from acting, proceeding, or advancing; keep in check; repress.
2. To deprive of freedom or liberty, as by placing in a prison or asylum.
3. To restrict or limit. [<OF restraindre, restreindre <L restringere <re- back + stringere draw tight]
—re·strain′a·ble adjective
—re·strain′ed·ly adverb Synonyms: abridge, bridle, check, circumscribe, confine, constrain, curb, hinder, hold, keep, repress, restrict, suppress. Constrain is positive; restrain is negative; one is constrained to an action; he is restrained from an action. Constrain refers almost exclusively to moral force, restrain frequently to physical force, as when we speak of putting one under restraint. To restrain an action is to hold it partially or wholly in check, thus controlling it even in performance; to restrict an action is to fix a limit or boundary which it may not pass, but within which it is free. To repress, literally to press back, is to hold in check, and perhaps only temporarily, that which is still very active; it is a feebler word than restrain; to suppress is finally and effectually to put down; suppress is a much stronger word than restrain; as, to suppress a rebellion. See ARREST, BIND, GOVERN, KEEP, LIMIT, REFRAIN, REPRESS, TEMPER. Antonyms: aid, animate, arouse, emancipate, encourage, excite, free, impel, incite, release.