adj
Uncommon
restrained
rih-STRAYND
Restrained (adj) means Kept under control; not showing strong emotion or excess. Example: “His restrained reaction surprised everyone given the bad news.”
adj
1
Kept under control; not showing strong emotion or excess.
"His restrained reaction surprised everyone given the bad news."
"The room had a restrained, elegant decor."
"He greeted her for the first time in three years with a restrained embrace."
How to use restrained
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHeld back or controlled, often describing calm behavior or understated style.
Common pairings
restrained tone
restrained elegance
remain restrained
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more restrained
- Superlative
- most restrained
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His _____ reaction surprised everyone given the bad news.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for restrained
See all rhymes for restrained →Frequently asked questions
What does “restrained” mean?
The word “restrained” means kept under control; not showing strong emotion or excess. In plain terms, held back or controlled, often describing calm behavior or understated style.
How do you pronounce “restrained”?
“Restrained” is pronounced rih-STRAYND (/ɹɪˈstɹeɪnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “restrained” in a sentence?
Here is “restrained” used in a sentence: “His restrained reaction surprised everyone given the bad news.”
What is another word for “restrained”?
Words with a similar meaning to “restrained” include low-key and understated.
What part of speech is “restrained”?
“Restrained” is an adjective.
Is “restrained” a common word?
“Restrained” is an uncommon word in modern English.
