Synonyms of rein

rein 1 of 2

noun

ˈrān 

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

• helm
• chair
• presidency
• seat
• head
• lead
• headship
• driver's seat
• governorship
• throne
• forefront
• sway
• directorship
• dictatorship
• dominance
• chieftainship
• dominion
• top
• mastery
• vanguard
• upper hand
• generalship
• commandership
• chairmanship
• kingship
• jurisdiction
• superintendency
• mastership
• sovereignty
• premiership
• height
• deanship
• pinnacle
• captainship
• presidentship
• eminence
• pedestal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ranks

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

• restriction
• limitation
• confinement
• constraint
• restraint
• stint
• circumscription
• isolation
• segregation
• containment

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

• power
• reign
• control
• sway
• arm
• dominion
• authority
• influence
• grip
• mastery
• clutch
• command
• hold
• death grip
• leverage
• pull
• management
• direction
• voice
• jurisdiction
• privilege
• clout
• dominance
• right
• prerogative
• weight
• importance
• predominance
• supremacy
• sovereignty
• moment
• imperium
• eminence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impotence
• powerlessness
• weakness
• helplessness
• impotency

rein

2 of 2

verb

as in to restrain

Related Words

• restrain
• curb
• constrain
• hinder
• impede
• stymie
• check
• balk
• interfere (with)
• hamper
• hobble
• cramp
• inhibit
• brake
• fetter
• tie up
• tie
• obstruct
• shackle
• encumber
• bind
• tether
• hold back
• embarrass
• handcuff
• handicap
• clog
• retard
• retain
• hog-tie
• delay
• leash
• short-circuit
• halter
• chain
• arrest
• trammel
• thwart
• stifle
• manacle
• block
• blockade
• hold up
• barricade
• bog (down)
• mire
• strangle
• smother
• foil
• choke
• derail
• disrupt
• frustrate
• suffocate
• muzzle
• sabotage
• repress
• stump
• roadblock
• baffle
• suppress

Dissimilar Words

• help
• assist
• facilitate
• aid
• open
• liberate
• clear
• make way
• free
• release
• loosen
• encourage
• promote
• unplug
• unclog
• untie
• unstop
• smooth
• further

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rein

Noun

At 50, Ternus is the same age as ​Cook when ⁠he took over the reins as CEO from co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

There were three rookie quarterbacks starting the opener in three of the previous five seasons as teams have become quicker to turn over the reins as the differences between the college and pro games have lessened. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Verb

This was the tame version, too, after a friend read the first draft and told him to rein it in a bit. — Jesse Dougherty, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

With no one to rein them in, hardliners are pressing ahead with their campaign against a deal. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing rein

• rein (in)