restraints
restraints — noun
- restraintssingular
- restraintsesplural
1. the ability to stay calm and keep your emotions or reactions under control, even
the ability to stay calm and keep your emotions or reactions under control, even when you feel angry, excited, or upset
Despite the rude comments from the audience, Wei Chen spoke with remarkable restraint.
collocation: with + restraint
Fatima showed great restraint by not shouting back at her angry boss.
pattern: show + restraint + by + V-ing
Andrés wanted to protest the unfair grade, but he exercised restraint and spoke to the teacher calmly after class.
Maeve showed remarkable restraint by not eating any of the birthday cake before her guests arrived.
- self-control
more general; restraint emphasises holding back something you want to express
- composure
focuses on remaining calm under pressure rather than suppressing an urge
- moderation
suggests avoiding extremes in behaviour or consumption, not just emotional control
- impulsiveness
acting on urges without thinking
文法句型
show + restraint
with + restraint
without + restraint
用法筆記
Almost always uncountable and used in the singular form 'restraint.' The plural 'restraints' does NOT carry this meaning; plural uses refer to limitations or devices.
常見錯誤
2. a rule, condition, or factor that restricts someone's freedom or holds back prog
a rule, condition, or factor that restricts someone's freedom or holds back progress, growth, or development
The government imposed new budget restraints on all public schools this year.
pattern: impose + restraints + on
Tariq felt that the strict time restraints made it impossible to finish the project properly.
Minho argued that the speed restraints on the highway kept drivers safe in bad weather.
Ife believed the cultural restraints placed on women in her village were unfair and outdated.
- limitation
more neutral; restraint emphasises an external force holding something back
- restriction
very similar, but 'restriction' often implies an official rule, while 'restraint' can be social or economic
- constraint
slightly more formal; often used in technical or economic contexts
- freedom
the absence of limiting rules or conditions
文法句型
restraints + on + noun phrase
impose + restraints
place + restraints + on
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the plural when referring to specific limiting rules or conditions. The singular 'restraint' can also be used for a single limitation. Frequently used with prepositions 'on' or 'upon.'
常見錯誤
3. the act of using physical force to stop someone from moving freely, especially t
the act of using physical force to stop someone from moving freely, especially to prevent them from harming themselves or others
The nurses used gentle restraint to keep the frightened patient safe during the seizure.
collocation: use + restraint
Ananya was placed under restraint after trying to hurt herself in the hospital.
collocation: under + restraint
Benjamin resisted the restraint so violently that three more guards had to be called into the room.
Sofie documented every use of physical restraint in the patient's chart before the end of her shift.
- confinement
broader — can mean being kept in a closed space; restraint focuses on body movement
- immobilisation
more clinical; usually for medical rather than behavioural reasons
- release
the act of letting someone move freely again
文法句型
under + restraint
use + restraint (on + noun)
physical + restraint
用法筆記
Often used in medical, psychiatric, or prison settings. When used as a countable noun ('a restraint') in this sense, it can refer to a specific instance of physical holding. Distinguish from sense 4 (RESTRAINING DEVICE): this sense describes the action or condition of physically preventing movement, while sense 4 refers to the physical tools or devices (straps, cuffs, harnesses) used to achieve that control.
4. a physical device such as a strap, handcuff, or harness that is used to prevent
a physical device such as a strap, handcuff, or harness that is used to prevent someone from moving their body freely
The paramedic checked that the restraints on the stretcher were fastened before the ambulance moved.
pattern: restraints + on [object]
Kenji's grandfather needed soft wrist restraints after surgery to protect his IV line.
collocation: soft + restraints / wrist + restraints
Mert checked that the leather restraints on the stretcher were tight enough to keep the patient secure.
Vivek unfastened the wrist restraints as soon as the doctor said the patient was calm enough.
文法句型
in + restraints
put + someone + in + restraints
remove + the + restraints
用法筆記
Typically used in the plural because devices come in pairs or sets (e.g., two wrist straps, a set of belts). The singular 'restraint' can be used for one specific device.