English Confusing Words Practice
restrain / rɪˈstreɪn /constrain / kənˈstreɪn /
1
She struggled to ____ her anger during the meeting, keeping her voice calm despite the insulting remarks.
2
The new evidence may ____ the committee to revise its decision, despite its reluctance to change course.
3
The handler used a strong leash to ____ the dog, holding it back from running into the busy road.
4
A lack of funds may ____ the organizers to cancel the event, even though they want it to go ahead.
Note
Restrain usually emphasizes holding back a person, action, or emotion. Constrain often emphasizes limits on freedom or circumstances that force a choice.
Their meanings overlap. Both can describe physical restriction or controlling anger, so those practice sentences accept either answer; restrain is the more usual choice in those examples.
- Restrain someone from leaving: stop or hold them back from leaving.
- Constrain someone to stay: compel them to stay because of pressure or circumstances.
- Constrain your choices: limit the options available to you.