1
as in helm
usually reins plural
the place of leadership or command
after the president resigned, the vice president stepped in and took the reins of the company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restriction
the act or practice of keeping something (as an activity) within certain boundaries
the oversight committee called on the state to keep a much tighter rein on the activities of its contractors
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in power
usually reins plural
the right or means to command or control others
a peaceful transfer of the reins of government has always been a hallmark of our nation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to restrain
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rein
Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
For Köster, though, there’s still a chance Eta can keep the reins and continue her historic tenure as head coach.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Kenya Barris pointed to Eddie Murphy’s 1980s stand-up specials when trying to describe the delicate balance between gleefully explicit comedy and the need to rein it in for a wider audience.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rein
Noun
In March 2025, veteran semiconductor executive Lip-Bu Tan took the reins at Intel.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
For Köster, though, there’s still a chance Eta can keep the reins and continue her historic tenure as head coach.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
The officials themselves may resist a chair who tries to rein them in.
—Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Kenya Barris pointed to Eddie Murphy’s 1980s stand-up specials when trying to describe the delicate balance between gleefully explicit comedy and the need to rein it in for a wider audience.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rein
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rein
Noun
-
The 38-year-old was hired as the club’s new under-21s coach from Southampton’s academy last summer and then promoted to Rosenior’s backroom staff after impressing in a two-game spell at the helm following Enzo Maresca’s departure in January.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
While statements attributed to him have been released, he has not been seen publicly since purportedly taking the helm in Tehran.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Public plans often have more restrictions based on misconduct, but the standard for forfeiture typically relies on a criminal conviction, according to experts.—
Anna Liss-Roy The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
27 Apr. 2026
-
According to Delta's policies, there are no restrictions for flying while pregnant on the airline.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Stars’ 71 power-play goals ranked first in the NHL in 2025-26, and Johnston’s 27 were the second-most in a single season since the 2004-05 lockout.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
They're driven very much by power, domination, control.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These measures accomplished these goals by granting this body extraordinary powers to restrain development.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
-
One grabbed an arm and held it behind his back, another raised the man’s other arm above his head, while a third restrained his ankles, according to the video.—
Darrell Smith
May 1,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Rooms California-cool meets Big Bear coziness here, with light, airy rooms warmed up by charming blue plaid chairs, thick wooden furniture, and floral wallpapers in various coastal shades.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Marsha Eriks, surgical technologist instructor and program chair, expected 60 to 100 students to cycle through her labs.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana is acutely aware of the limitations of this right.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The incentive economy seems to face similar limitations.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Lawyers and doctors can lose their licenses to practice, insider traders can be barred from the financial industry, public officials stripped of committee assignments, and dangerous speeding drivers should have their bad habit curbed.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Your wife won’t curb this bad habit until she’s forced to do so.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career after the completion of his three-year, $36 million contract, White has an opportunity to choose his next destination — no qualifying offer to worry about, no offer sheet to be matched, nothing to constrain his movement.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
When one of those levers is constrained, the others have to do more of the work.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rein.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rein. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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