refrain vs restrain :

refrain or restrain

“Restrain” is a transitive verb: it needs an object. Although “refrain” was once a synonym for “restrain” it is now an intransitive verb: it should not have an object. Here are examples of correct modern usage: “When I pass the doughnut shop I have to restrain myself” (“myself” is the object). “When I feel like throwing something at my boss, I usually refrain from doing so.” You can’t refrain yourself or anyone else.

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Definitions
  refrain
  • n  the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers
  • v  resist doing something
    He refrained from hitting him back
  • v  choose not to consume
  restrain
  • v  keep under control; keep in check
  • v  place limits on (extent or access)
  • v  to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement
  • v  hold back
  • v  to compel or deter by or as if by threats
News & Articles
  refrain
  • U.N. rights forum condemns Hezbollah role in Syria
    By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - The U.N. Human Rights Council on Friday condemned the use of all foreign fighters in Syria's civil war, including Lebanese Hezbollah militants backing the government, but stopped short of calling for a halt to the flow of arms. The Geneva forum adopted a resolution brought by Arab and Western powers, urging all parties to refrain from contributing to a ...
    June 14, 2013 - Reuters via Yahoo! News
  • 0 comments
    The Valley News has tightened its policy regarding comments. While we invite you to contribute your opinions and thoughts, we request that you refrain from using vulgar or obscene words and post only comments that directly pertain to the specific topic of the story or article.
    June 14, 2013 - The Temecula Valley News
  • Editorial: Pay hikes of the past come back to haunt county
    It was a familiar refrain. If Sacramento County were to cut his budget by the $10 million initially proposed, Sheriff Scott Jones warned that he would be forced to cut already dangerously thin deputy patrols.
    June 13, 2013 - The Sacramento Bee
  restrain
  • IT Companies Back Federal Plans to Battle Patent Trolls
    Major IT companies want to seize the moment in an effort to restrain what they consider to be an abuse of intellectual property rights by so-called patent trolls. In a recent flurry of activity, lawmakers and the Obama administration have taken steps to support large IT companies seeking patent claim reforms. The big IT companies claim that current law overwhelmingly favors the patent trolls.
    June 12, 2013 - E-Commerce Times
  • Ariel Castro pleads not guilty to charges of kidnapping, rape and murder (video)
    Ariel Castro used chains to restrain Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight during years of forced captivity in his house, according to recently filed charges against the former school bus driver.
    June 12, 2013 - The Sun Press
  • Man cuts own throat, arrested in Petaluma
    Published: Monday, June 10, 2013 at 10:18 a.m. Last Modified: Monday, June 10, 2013 at 10:18 a.m. A young Petaluma man cut his own throat Sunday night and fought off family members and police before they were able to restrain him and give him medical aid, Petaluma police reported Monday.
    June 12, 2013 - The Petaluma Argus-Courier