1
as in to compel
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
constrained by conscience to tell only the truth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to regulate
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
constrained his anger at the needless interruption
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of constrain
The players contend this framework violates antitrust law by constraining the market for athletic services offered by D-I football to former JUCO football players.
—
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 July 2025
But an economic slowdown appears to be constraining the bank’s ability to tighten policy.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 8 July 2025
But the agreement was only temporary, did nothing to constrain Iran’s broader destabilizing behavior, and gave the regime new sources of revenue.
—James Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
Netflix’s emphasis on extensive pre-production planning and robust post-production work represents a significant shift for an industry previously constrained by tight broadcast schedules and limited resources.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 July 2025
But an economic slowdown appears to be constraining the bank’s ability to tighten policy.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 8 July 2025
But the agreement was only temporary, did nothing to constrain Iran’s broader destabilizing behavior, and gave the regime new sources of revenue.
—James Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
Netflix’s emphasis on extensive pre-production planning and robust post-production work represents a significant shift for an industry previously constrained by tight broadcast schedules and limited resources.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrain
Verb
-
That compels people to shell out somewhere between $2,500 and $3,000 for courtside seats for a summer league game, as people did Thursday.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
So she still feels compelled to speak up for these fellow children of God.—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Camps nationwide are regulated in a number of ways in order to prevent tragedies.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
-
Unlike medications, supplements are not regulated by the FDA.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
One of the former detectives Dillard accused of helping harass and coerce a witness into testifying was among the Wolverines.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
3 July 2025
-
In the end, the evidence came down to how coerced the female victims were.—
Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz , Maria Paronich , Brendan McDonald,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
But the superfood also contains actinidin, an enzyme that helps digestion by breaking down proteins.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
-
When a reporter asked Attorney General Pam Bondi about the Jeffrey Epstein investigation on Tuesday, President Donald Trump could not contain himself a moment longer.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
Farmland and ranch properties, typically large and illiquid assets, have historically forced family sales to cover estate tax obligations.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
-
Initially, the plant’s staff was overwhelmed, forcing Motorola to briefly backtrack on its promise to deliver phones to customers within four days.—
Verne Kopytoff,
Fortune,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
The Big Ten and SEC control what the next CFP format looks like.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
-
After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Legal experts warn that compliance may violate the Fair Housing Act and that landlords are not legally obligated to respond without judicial oversight.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
So many questions, so few answers and not much time: The CFP management committee (i.e., conference commissioners) are obligated to give ESPN and answer by December.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
There have been no recorded shoe bombings, in the sky or on the ground, since passengers and crew subdued and restrained Reid on that 2001 flight.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
10 July 2025
-
Crew members and passengers noticed and restrained him.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrain. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share