SummaryThis paper proposes an application of tension‐rod displacement–restraint bracing to prevent story drift amplification in tall steel moment frames. Seismic response analyses of a 20‐story bare steel frame are performed first, revealing that story drift amplification occurs in the upper and lower stories at different times. Characteristics observed for the seismic response of the bare frame suggest the efficacy of the delay action of bracing. Subsequently, seismic response analyses of the 20‐story braced frame with tension‐rod displacement–restraint bracings reveals that the increment of the column axial force by addition of bracing is reduced dramatically by the delay action of bracing. The story rotation angles within partial stories where the story drift amplification occurs in the bare frame are also reduced efficiently by the displacement–restraint bracing. The delay action of bracing influences the floor response acceleration and the residual displacement. Finally, parametric analysis results indicate an appropriate value of the story rotation angle at which the brace action starts.