restrain

Universal Words verb [VN] 1 ~ sb/sth (from sth / from doing sth) to stop sb/sth from doing sth, especially by using physical force: The prisoner had to be restrained by the police. * I had to restrain her from hitting out at passers-by. * They have obtained an injunction restraining the company from selling the product. * Morse placed a restraining hand on Lewis's arm. 2 ~ yourself (from sth / from doing sth) to stop yourself from feeling an emotion or doing sth that you would like to do: John managed to restrain his anger. * I restrained the urge to punch him. * She had to restrain herself from crying out in pain. * I was tempted to answer back, but I restrained myself. 3 to stop sth that is growing or increasing from becoming too large: The government is taking steps to restrain inflation.