Refrain vs. Restrain — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 4, 2024
Refrain involves holding oneself back from an action, often voluntarily; whereas, restrain involves external or self-imposed limits to control actions or impulses.
Difference Between Refrain and Restrain
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Refrain typically implies a voluntary choice to avoid certain behaviors or actions, suggesting self-control or caution in one's decisions. Whereas, restrain can indicate the use of physical force or psychological compulsion to limit someone's actions or behaviors.
Refrain is often used in contexts where one chooses not to engage in an activity that could be undesirable or inappropriate, such as refraining from commenting. On the other hand, restrain is used when someone or something prevents another from acting freely, like using a seatbelt to restrain a passenger in a car.
Refrain might be used in a more passive context where the action avoided does not involve direct intervention. Whereas, restrain often involves active intervention, either by an individual, a device, or by law, to control or limit what one can do.
In literature, refrain can also refer to a repeated line or verse in a poem or song, indicating a stylistic choice to emphasize certain themes. Whereas, there is no such literary use for restrain, as it remains strictly within the confines of controlling or limiting behavior.
In legal or formal contexts, restrain often appears in terms such as "restraining order," which legally prohibits specific actions to protect someone from harm. Whereas, refrain has no such legal implications and is more about personal choice and discretion.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Choose not to perform an action
Actively limit or control actions
Voluntariness
Generally voluntary
Can be either voluntary or imposed
Usage in Law
Not typically used in legal contexts
Often used in legal contexts
Literary Usage
Used as a term in music and poetry
Not applicable in a literary sense
Psychological Aspect
More about self-control and personal choice
Involves external control or self-discipline
Compare with Definitions
Refrain
Withhold or keep oneself from doing something.
They refrained from celebrating too early.
Restrain
Use of devices to control movements.
The patient was restrained to prevent injury.
Refrain
Abstaining from certain activities.
He decided to refrain from smoking.
Restrain
To limit personal feelings or desires.
He restrained his urge to respond angrily.
Refrain
Exercise restraint by not doing something.
She refrained from arguing further.
Restrain
To confine or keep within limits.
She had to restrain her spending this month.
Refrain
A repeated line or group of lines in a poem or song.
The refrain became more poignant each time it was sung.
Restrain
To hold back from action or control physically.
The guards had to restrain the unruly fan.
Refrain
Avoiding an action voluntarily.
She chose to refrain from making a comment.
Restrain
Implementing control over someone else's actions.
The law was designed to restrain unfair trade practices.
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.
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
Common Curiosities
Can restrain have a psychological implication?
Yes, restrain can also mean controlling one's impulses or emotions.
What legal tool uses the term restrain?
A restraining order is a legal document that uses the term to prevent someone from performing certain acts.
Can refrain appear in legal documents?
Refrain is less common in legal documents and does not have specific legal connotations.
Can animals be restrained?
Yes, animals can be restrained for safety reasons, often with harnesses or cages.
What's the difference between refrain and abstain?
Refrain means not doing something specific, while abstain can mean avoiding more general activities or behaviors.
Is refrain always voluntary?
Refrain usually implies a voluntary action, but context can influence its interpretation.
Is restrain only physical?
No, restrain can also be psychological, like restraining one's anger.
What does it mean to refrain in music?
In music, a refrain is a repeated line or passage in a song.
How does one typically use the word restrain in a sentence?
You can use restrain to describe physical control, like restraining someone from moving.
How does refrain contribute to a poem?
A refrain in a poem adds rhythm and can emphasize a central theme.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
