restrain

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de retenir, de contrôler ou d'empêcher quelqu'un ou quelque chose d'agir librement.

A verb used to indicate the act of holding back, controlling, or preventing someone or something from acting freely.

1. Keep under controlB2formal

   To prevent someone or something from doing something; to keep in check.

   Contenir, réfréner

   • She had to restrain her anger during the argument.
   • The police officer restrained the suspect until backup arrived.
   • He could barely restrain his excitement when he heard the news.

   Synonymescheckconstraincontaincontrolcurbcurtailhold backinhibitlimitsuppress

   Antonymesfreeinciteliberatereleaseunleash

2. Limit or restrictB2formal

   To place limits on the extent, access, or growth of something.

   limiter, restreindre

   • The government decided to restrain spending on non-essential projects.
   • New regulations will restrain the company's expansion plans.
   • They had to restrain their use of water during the drought.

   Synonymescapcheckconfineconstraincontrolcurbinhibitlimitregulaterestrict

   Antonymesexpandextendfreeliberatereleaseunleash

3. Hold back physicallyB2formal

   To physically prevent movement or action; to confine.

   Contenir physiquement

   • The guards had to restrain the prisoner who was trying to escape.
   • She used a rope to restrain the dog from running into the street.
   • The patient had to be restrained for his own safety during the seizure.

   Synonymesbindconfineconstraincurbfetterholdimmobilizeinhibitleashpinpreventrestrictshacklestoptether

   Antonymesfreeliberatereleaseunbindunleashunloose

4. Deter or compelC1formal

   To discourage or prevent someone from doing something, often through threats or authority.

   Dissuader ou contraindre

   • The threat of legal action restrained him from making false claims.
   • Fear of failure restrained her from taking risks in her career.
   • The teacher's stern look restrained the students from misbehaving.

   Synonymescheckcurbdeterdiscouragedissuadeinhibitprevent

   Antonymesallowencouragegoadincitepermitpromptspururge