self-restraint
Controlling one's impulses
Self-restraint is the ability to hold back impulses, desires, or actions—to stop yourself from doing something you want to do or could do.
It implies conscious effort: It took all my self-restraint not to say something.
The word often appears when someone succeeds in controlling anger, appetite, or spending: She showed remarkable self-restraint at the buffet.
Steadiness or amount owed
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- measureUnit of quantity
- sobrietyUnimpaired mental state
judiciousness · caution · discretion · modesty · reasonableness · equilibrium · proportionality · circumspection
Abstaining from intimate relations
- chastityAbstaining from sexual activity
- teetotalismTotal sobriety as principle
- asceticismSevere self-denial practice
- continenceControl over bodily functions
fasting · renunciation · abnegation · austerity · puritanism · virginity · frugality · simplicity
Peaceful mental state
- equanimityUnshakable mental steadiness
- patienceCalm during delays
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- coolnessCalm self-possession
imperturbability · forbearance · reserve · steadiness · collectedness · serenity · tranquility · stoicism
Firmness of purpose
- resolveFirmness of purpose
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
tenacity · steadfastness · endurance · resilience · persistence · commitment · drive · focus
Forcible prevention or concealment
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
- holding backPreventing forward movement
- checkingAct of verification
curbing · bridling · reining in · stifling · bottling up · dampening · subduing
balance
Steadiness or amount owed
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- measureUnit of quantity
sobriety · judiciousness · caution · discretion · modesty · reasonableness · equilibrium · proportionality · circumspection · conservatism
celibacy
Abstaining from intimate relations
- chastityAbstaining from sexual activity
- teetotalismTotal sobriety as principle
- asceticismSevere self-denial practice
continence · fasting · renunciation · abnegation · austerity · puritanism · virginity · frugality · simplicity · denial
calmness
Peaceful mental state
- equanimityUnshakable mental steadiness
- patienceCalm during delays
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
coolness · imperturbability · forbearance · reserve · steadiness · collectedness · serenity · tranquility · stoicism · sangfroid
determination
Firmness of purpose
- resolveFirmness of purpose
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
perseverance · tenacity · steadfastness · endurance · resilience · persistence · commitment · drive · focus · dedication
suppression
Forcible prevention or concealment
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
- holding backPreventing forward movement
checking · curbing · bridling · reining in · stifling · bottling up · dampening · subduing
- abstinencesobriety, celibacy, chastity, teetotalism, fasting
- self-controlwillpower, composure, moderation, temperance, inhibition
- RamadanRamadan, iftar, fasting, holy month, breaking fast
- simple livingsimple living, frugality, minimalism, decluttering, back-to-the-land
- Victorian valuesmorality, propriety, respectability, decorum, modesty
- Puritanismpuritanism, moral purity, prudery, prudishness, strictness
self-restraintimpulsiveness
Acting without forethought
abandon · disinhibition · recklessness · impulsivity · rashness
self-restraintintemperance
Habitual lack of restraint
excess · overindulgence · self-indulgence · indulgence · excessiveness
self-restraintexpressiveness
Ability to convey emotion
effusiveness · demonstrativeness · outspokenness · uninhibitedness · openness
self, strict, restrain, district, restraint, restrict, selfless, constraint, restrained