as in muted
not excessively showy
a restrained but elegant black purse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in controlled
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
the victim's family members were unable to restrain their emotions upon hearing the verdict
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in arrested
to take or keep under one's control by authority of law
the suspect was restrained and taken to an undisclosed location
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of restrained
Anastasia Sanger, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
Natalie Venetia Belcon, whose Tony-winning performance in Buena Vista Social Club carried quiet authority and gravitas, anchoring the show with a presence that's both restrained and deeply felt.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
Sturdivant’s grandfather restrained him and returned him to Sturdivant’s house, the complaint says.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for restrained
Adjective
Despite the rich visuals and heavy subject matter, the film itself feels subtle and restrained, the surreal plot artfully revealing itself to the viewer piece by devastating piece.
—Verb
Sturdivant did actually set out for a neighbor’s house armed with a hammer and a knife but was restrained by his grandfather, the affidavit says.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for restrained
Adjective
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People often make the mistake of going with a bright white paint color to balance out a room’s cool feel and muted light, but opting for a warm neutral is more effective for creating an inviting space.—
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Color choices mimic those of the terrain, all soft greens, light grays, and muted taupes.—
Verb
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Through the integration with Tactical Assault Kit software, the team remotely controlled multiple unmanned ground and surface units across a large, 50-square-mile operational area.—
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Staff shortages have led to flow control programs to keep flights safe in other areas, too, like the airspace controlled by Jacksonville Center.—
Verb
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Adolescence follows a 13-year-old boy, Jamie Miller (Cooper), who is accused and arrested for murdering a teenage girl in his class.—
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Local officials have called for immigration authorities to leave the city and for the officer behind the shooting to be arrested.—
Adjective
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More subdued is the second iteration, which features a white base with cream overlays.—
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For the best mood-boosting environment, Wadden suggests balancing the brighter color with more subdued neutrals.—
Verb
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There’s a kind of social contract under which utilities operate essentially as monopolies to provide a public service and in exchange are regulated.—
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The devices measure pollutants regulated by the EPA, including nitrogen oxides, ozone and particulate matter from sources like gas turbines, factories and heavy traffic.—
Verb
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The London punk rebels seized the revolutionary spirit of 1977 with their raw manifesto The Clash, then refined their sound with the flawed Give ‘Em Enough Rope.—
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Government security forces seized 1,764 tonnes of cocaine between August 2022 and November 2024, followed by a further 601 tonnes between January and August 2025.—
Adjective
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The lightweight fabric is also quiet, so you won’t be awoken from crinkling material.—
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The family settled in a quiet residential street of older homes and multifamily buildings, some front porches festooned with pride flags still twinkling with holiday lights.—
Verb
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Three City Hall employees reported that their wallets, which contained cash, credit cards, health savings account cards, and personal ID were stolen from their offices, per Boston Police reports.—
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The damage was largely contained to what firefighters call a wildland-urban interface fire, not a larger conflagration like the one developing in the Palisades.—
Cite this Entry
“Restrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/restrained. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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