Keep
Keep verb - To keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression).
Usage example: at least try to keep your temper during the holiday meal
Restrain is a synonym for keep in prevent topic. In some cases you can use "Restrain" instead a verb "Keep", when it comes to topics like restraint, detain, abstain. popular alternative
Restrain
Restrain verb - To keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression).
Usage example: the victim's family members were unable to restrain their emotions upon hearing the verdict
Keep is a synonym for restrain in hold back topic. You can use "Keep" instead a verb "Restrain", if it concerns topics such as restraint, prevent, abstain. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- In the season 2 finale, Pete shoots the head page in the leg with an arrow to help out Kenneth, whom the page was attempting to restrain to keep him from submitting an important paper.
Source: Reality Ensues / Live-Action TV - The other two have to physically restrain him to keep him from charging a drunk and sleeping Benny.
Source: Series / The Julekalender - On the other hand, Tess has to constantly restrain her emotions to keep herself from accidentally activating her powers and choking those around her to death.
Cite this Source
Restrain and Keep. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/keep/restrain
Keep & Restrain. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/keep/restrain>.
Restrain or Keep. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/keep/restrain.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "keep" and "restrain" have occurred on timeline