Refrain vs. Restrain — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Refrain and Restrain
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Refrain
A refrain (from Vulgar Latin refringere, "to repeat", and later from Old French refraindre) is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in poetry — the "chorus" of a song. Poetic fixed forms that feature refrains include the villanelle, the virelay, and the sestina.
Restrain
To hold back or keep in check; control
Was able restrain his emotions.
Refrain
To hold oneself back; forbear from doing something
Refrained from swearing.
Restrain
To prevent (a person or group) from doing something or acting in a certain way
She was restrained from selling the house by her fond memories.
Refrain
A phrase, verse, or group of verses repeated at intervals throughout a song or poem, especially at the end of each stanza.
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Restrain
To hold, fasten, or secure so as to prevent or limit movement
Hair restrained by a bandana.
A child restrained by a seat belt.
Refrain
Music for the refrain of a song.
Restrain
(transitive) To control or keep in check.
Refrain
A song or melody.
Restrain
(transitive) To deprive of liberty.
Refrain
A repeated utterance or theme.
Restrain
(transitive) To restrict or limit.
He was restrained by the straitjacket.
Refrain
To hold back, to restrain (someone or something).
Restrain
(transitive) To strain again.
Refrain
To show restraint; to hold oneself back.
Restrain
To draw back again; to hold back from acting, proceeding, or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by any interposing obstacle; to repress or suppress; to keep down; to curb.
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that natureGives way to in repose!
Refrain
To repress (a desire, emotion etc.); to check or curb.
Restrain
To draw back toghtly, as a rein.
Refrain
To stop oneself from some action or interference; to abstain.
Restrain
To hinder from unlimited enjoiment; to abridge.
Though they two were committed, at least restrained of their liberty.
Refrain
To abstain from (food or drink).
Restrain
To limit; to confine; to restrict.
Not only a metaphysical or natural, but a moral, universality also is to be restrained by a part of the predicate.
Refrain
The chorus or burden of a song repeated at the end of each verse or stanza.
Restrain
To withhold; to forbear.
Thou restrained prayer before God.
Refrain
(by extension) A much repeated comment, complaint, or saying.
Restrain
Keep under control; keep in check;
Suppress a smile
Keep your temper
Keep your cool
Refrain
To hold back; to restrain; to keep within prescribed bounds; to curb; to govern.
His reason refraineth not his foul delight or talent.
Refrain thy foot from their path.
Restrain
Place limits on (extent or access);
Restrict the use of this parking lot
Limit the time you can spend with your friends
Refrain
To abstain from.
Who, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no other counsel than to refrain cold drink.
Restrain
To close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement;
This holds the local until the express passengers change trains
About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade
The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center
The terrorists held the journalists for ransom
Refrain
To keep one's self from action or interference; to hold aloof; to forbear; to abstain.
Refrain from these men, and let them alone.
They refrained therefrom [eating flesh] some time after.
Restrain
Hold back
Refrain
The burden of a song; a phrase or verse which recurs at the end of each of the separate stanzas or divisions of a poetic composition.
We hear the wild refrain.
Restrain
To compel or deter by or as if by threats
Refrain
The part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers
Refrain
Not do something;
He refrained from hitting him back
She could not forbear weeping
Refrain
Choose no to consume;
I abstain from alcohol
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