“Refrain” and “restrain” are often confused because they both involve the concept of stopping or limiting actions, but they are used in different contexts and have distinct meanings.
Refrain
Definition:
“Refrain” means to choose not to do something or to abstain from an action or activity.
Examples:
The students were asked to refrain from leaving class early.
Please refrain from using your phone during the performance.
She decided to refrain from commenting on the controversial topic.
Restrain
Definition:
“Restrain” means to hold back, control, or prevent an action, often by force.
Examples:
The nurses had to restrain the patient in order to avoid injury.
The police used handcuffs to restrain the suspect.
He struggled to restrain his anger during the heated discussion.
“Refrain” is about choosing not to engage in an action, while “restrain” involves actively holding back or controlling an action, often with physical force. Using these words correctly will ensure clear and precise communication.
