# restrain

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɹɪˈstɹeɪn/ · frequency rank #20,477

## Definitions
1. To control or keep in check.
2. To deprive of liberty.
3. To restrict or limit.

## Etymology
From Middle English restreinen, from Old French restreindre, from Latin rēstringere (“fasten, tighten”).

## Easily confused with
- **retain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/restrain-vs-retain)
- **restraint** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/restrain-vs-restraint)
- **restrained** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/restrain-vs-restrained)
- **refrain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refrain-vs-restrain)

## Common misspellings (12)
`erstrain`, `resrtain`, `resstrain`, `restarin`, `restrainn`, `restrani`, `restrian`, `restrrain`, `resttrain`, `retsrain`, `rrestrain`, `rsetrain`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/restrain