restrained

1 of 2

adjective

re·​strained ri-ˈstrānd How to pronounce restrained (audio)
Synonyms of restrainednext
: marked by restraint : not excessive or extravagant
restrainedly
ri-ˈstrā-nəd-lē How to pronounce restrained (audio)
adverb

restrained

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of restrain

Synonyms of restrained

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Adjective

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Examples of restrained in a Sentence

Adjective She was admired for her restrained behavior. a restrained style of architecture The room was decorated with restrained colors.
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Adjective
No two rooms are exactly alike, although all make use of a similar restrained coastal aesthetic of blues, grays, and whites. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 For an actress whose biggest role to date hinged on big emotions, that meant finding a role that was more restrained, more internal, more pragmatic. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026 In a city better known for restrained modernism, La Tulipe is a playful bouquet of concrete and colored glass. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026 Producers who do choose to use barrels do so to enhance the fruit flavors and not overpower them thus making elegant, restrained whites. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for restrained

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of restrained was in the 14th century

Rhymes for restrained

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Browse Nearby Words

restrainably
restrained
restrained beam
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Cite this Entry

“Restrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restrained. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

restrained

adjective
re·​strained ri-ˈstrānd How to pronounce restrained (audio)
: marked by restraint : showing careful control
restrainedly
-ˈstrā-nəd-lē How to pronounce restrained (audio)
adverb
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