RESTRAIN, CHECK, CURB, BRIDLE mean to hold back from or control in doing something.

RESTRAIN suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

e.g. restrained themselves from laughing

CHECK implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

e.g. trying to check government spending

CURB suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

e.g. learn to curb your appetite

BRIDLE implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

e.g. bridle an impulse to throw the book down

verb with object

prevent (someone or something) from doing something; keep under control or within limits:

〈行動など〉を制止する, 禁じる; 〈人など〉を拘束する; 〖～ A from B/doing〗 A〈人〉にB〈事〉を［…するのを］やめさせる

e.g. he had to be restrained from walking out of the meeting

e.g. (as adjective restraining) : Cara put a restraining hand on his arm.

prevent oneself from displaying or giving way to (a strong urge or emotion):

〈人が〉〈感情など〉を抑える, こらえる; 〖～ oneself〗 «…(するの)を» 自制する «from (doing)»

e.g. Amos had to restrain his impatience.

deprive (someone) of freedom of movement or personal liberty:

e.g. leg cuffs are used in the U.S. for restraining and transporting extremely violent and dangerous criminals.

(of a seat belt) hold (a person or part of their body) down and back while in a vehicle seat.

restrainable adjective

restrainer noun

Middle English: from Old French restreign-, stem of restreindre, from Latin restringere, from re- ‘back’ + stringere ‘to tie, pull tight’.