Standard Lemma guide

self-restraint

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Self-control, control over one's emotions, passions and actions.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • His lack of self-restraint led to several ugly scenes of debauchery and violent outburst.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: self-regulation

2

noun

Meaning 2

exhibiting restraint imposed on the self

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an effective temperateness in debate

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: temperateness

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: restraint, control

Narrower terms: stiff upper lip

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swé? Proto-Indo-European *selbh-der. Proto-Germanic *selbaz Old English self Old English self- Middle English self- English self- English restraint English self-restraint From self- + restraint.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 自制 (zìzhì) — self-restraint
  • Danish: selvbeherskelse — self-restraint
  • Estonian: enesepiiramine — self-restraint
  • Estonian: vaoshoitus — self-restraint
  • Finnish: itsekuri — self-restraint
  • Hindi: आत्मनियंत्रण (ātmaniyantraṇ) — self-restraint
  • Latin: abstinentia — self-restraint
  • Lithuanian: santūrumas — self-restraint
  • Marathi: संयम (saiyam) — self-restraint
  • Marathi: आत्मनियंत्रण (ātmaniyantraṇ) — self-restraint
  • Marathi: दम (dam) — self-restraint
  • Portuguese: autodomínio — self-restraint
  • Russian: самооблада́ние (samoobladánije) — self-restraint
  • Russian: сде́ржанность (sdéržannostʹ) — self-restraint