restraint

/rɪˈstreɪnt/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈstreɪnt/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈstrānt/ (ame, mw)

restraint — noun

  • restraintsingular
  • restraintsplural

1. the ability to stay calm and keep your emotions under control, especially when y

1.名詞B2
釋義

the ability to stay calm and keep your emotions under control, especially when you feel angry, excited, or strongly tempted to act

例句

Megan showed remarkable restraint by not shouting back at the angry customer.

collocation: show restraint

The children were excited, but the teacher's gentle restraint kept the classroom calm.

同義詞
  • self-control

    more general, refers to managing all impulses and desires, not just emotional reactions

  • composure

    focuses on staying calm under pressure, less about resisting temptation

  • moderation

    emphasises avoiding extremes, especially in consumption or indulgence

反義詞

文法句型

show + restraint

exercise + restraint

用法筆記

Typically uncountable. Often found with verbs like 'show', 'exercise', 'demonstrate', or 'display' — you do not 'have a restraint' in this sense.

常見錯誤

❌She had no restraint from eating the cake.
✅She showed no restraint and ate the whole cake.
💡'restraint' is not followed by 'from + verb-ing'; use 'show restraint' or 'exercise restraint'.

2. any condition, rule, or external factor that stops people from acting freely or

2.名詞B2
釋義

any condition, rule, or external factor that stops people from acting freely or slows the development or expansion of something

例句

Budget restraints forced the school to cancel the art programme this year.

collocation: budget restraints / legal restraints

The government placed new restraints on how companies can collect personal data.

preposition: restraints on [something]

同義詞
  • restriction

    more concrete and official — used for laws, rules, and formal limits

  • constraint

    suggests something that limits the range of possible actions, often from outside

  • limit

    simpler and more general; can refer to a boundary or maximum

反義詞
  • freedom

    the ability to act without external limits

  • license

    freedom to do whatever one wants

文法句型

restraints on + noun

place restraints on + noun

用法筆記

Countable; very common in the plural 'restraints'. Often followed by the preposition 'on' (restraints on trade, restraints on spending).

常見錯誤

❌The government lifted the restraint on imports.
✅The government lifted the restrictions on imports.
💡For official rules and regulations, 'restriction' is more natural than 'restraint'; 'restraint' often feels more abstract or moral.

3. physical force or special equipment such as straps or handcuffs used to stop som

3.名詞B2
釋義

physical force or special equipment such as straps or handcuffs used to stop someone, especially a violent or confused person, from moving freely

例句

The nurse put soft restraints on the confused patient trying to climb out of bed.

collocation: put restraints on [person]

Police officers are trained to use physical restraint only when someone poses a danger.

passive: physical restraint is used

同義詞
  • straps

    specific type of physical restraint, made from strong fabric or leather

  • shackles

    stronger, more severe — usually metal and used for prisoners; has negative connotations

  • tether

    a rope or chain that limits the range of movement, often for animals

文法句型

use + restraints

put + restraints + on + person

physical + restraint

用法筆記

Countable when referring to a specific device ('restraints' in plural); uncountable when referring to the use of physical force. In medical settings, 'restraints' (plural) is the standard term for straps or safety belts.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor used a restraint on the patient's leg.
✅The doctors used restraints on the patient's arms.
💡Physical restraints in healthcare are almost always referred to in the plural form 'restraints', even when describing one strap.