Meaning & use
lacking in restraint
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseformal
not showing self-control or moderation; acting without holding back
Grammar: Used after linking verbs: 'The article was lacking in restraint.' It can also follow a noun: 'a performance lacking in restraint'.
Patterns
- be lacking in restraint
- something is lacking in restraint
- a remark lacking in restraint
The judge's comments were lacking in restraint and upset many people.
His spending habits are lacking in restraint; he buys things he never uses.
The newspaper's editorial was lacking in restraint, attacking the mayor personally.
Common combinations
- be lacking in restraint
- The response was lacking in restraint and only made the conflict worse.
- seem lacking in restraint
- The comedian's jokes seemed lacking in restraint, even for late-night TV.
- lacking in restraint in
- The company was lacking in restraint in its advertising claims.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unrestrained
- This adjective means not controlled, and it is often used for emotions or behavior; it is a single word, while 'lacking in restraint' is a phrase.
- excessive
- This means too much, which is related but focuses on amount rather than self-control.
- intemperate
- This formal word means showing no control, especially in speech or drinking, and is stronger and more literary than 'lacking in restraint'.
Opposites
Word family
- restraint noun
- the quality of controlling your actions or feelings
- restrain verb
- to stop someone or something from doing something
- restrained adjective
- showing control and not too emotional
Commonly confused: lacking in restraint or restrict?
lacking in restraint vs restrict
'Restrict' means to limit something, while 'restraint' is about self-control. They are related but not the same.
Practice
The politician's speech was _______ restraint; he insulted his opponents openly.
Choose one answer.
The correct phrase is 'lacking in restraint', with the preposition 'in'. 'Lacking restraint' without 'in' is less common and sounds incomplete here. 'Lack' and 'lacked' are verb forms and would not follow 'was' in this structure.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lacking in restraint”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.