1
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
she demonstrated an almost unnatural self-restraint during the fight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discipline
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
we must practice self-restraint even with people who are deliberately rude
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of self-restraint
Stormi went viral for the same candy game when Jenner tested her self-restraint at 2 years old in a video posted on her social media in May 2020.
—
Escher Walcott, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Voters can, however, favor those who pursue self-restraint.
—John Nemec, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
Without meaningful regulation or self-restraint by AI firms, the arms race between data-hungry bots and those attempting to defend open source infrastructure seems likely to escalate further, potentially deepening the crisis for the digital ecosystem that underpins the modern Internet.
—Ars Technica, 25 Mar. 2025
The sun’s alignment with Saturn encourages self-restraint, not self-deprivation.
—USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-restraint
Escher Walcott, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Voters can, however, favor those who pursue self-restraint.
—John Nemec, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
Without meaningful regulation or self-restraint by AI firms, the arms race between data-hungry bots and those attempting to defend open source infrastructure seems likely to escalate further, potentially deepening the crisis for the digital ecosystem that underpins the modern Internet.
—Ars Technica, 25 Mar. 2025
The sun’s alignment with Saturn encourages self-restraint, not self-deprivation.
—USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-restraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-restraint
Noun
-
At its core, Wimbledon is a British brand built on restraint: the all-white dress code, the absence of in-your-face, on-court branding, the strawberries and cream.—
Jeetendr Sehdev,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
Critics say Trump has only become more dangerous, pursuing radical ideas without restraint.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
But the promise of fiscal discipline has become a straightjacket.—
Oliver Eagleton,
Time,
5 July 2025
-
Prior to Vida, the Fort Wayne native studied culinary disciplines including butchery at Ivy Tech's Fort Wayne and Indianapolis campuses.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-restraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-restraint. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share