1
as in restraint
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
in civilized society people do not just say or do whatever they feel like—they exercise some constraint
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
put legal constraints on the board's activities
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another
parental constraint can take several different forms, including a denial of the approval that children usually seek from their parents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of constraint
The game’s ability to continually break free of genre constraints and bounce between completely different settings and control schemes is impressive.
—
Kyle Wilson, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
Congress has a duty—not just to its constituents, but to the very fabric of the republic—to act as that constraint.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Steven Wistrich, dressed in black pants and a dark green Nike T-shirt, stands near the dancers, assessing space and time constraints in relation to Tchaikovsky’s waltzing tempo.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
To figure out which models might be valid, the researchers looked for constraints from other data that could rule some of these models out.
—Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Kyle Wilson, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
Congress has a duty—not just to its constituents, but to the very fabric of the republic—to act as that constraint.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Steven Wistrich, dressed in black pants and a dark green Nike T-shirt, stands near the dancers, assessing space and time constraints in relation to Tchaikovsky’s waltzing tempo.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
To figure out which models might be valid, the researchers looked for constraints from other data that could rule some of these models out.
—Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint
Noun
-
This season was about restraint and impact — where luxury was deliberate, innovation measured, and the conversation between past and present more compelling than ever.—
Tianwei Zhang,
WWD,
25 Feb. 2025
-
That's reality for a country that, across Democratic and Republican administrations, has spent taxpayer money without restraint or care about debt.—
Axios,
Axios,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Los Angeles fires and recovery Malibu businesses are struggling in the aftermath of fire and continuing restrictions along Pacific Coast Highway.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2025
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In fact, several places have issued stern warnings to partiers and restrictions this year.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA TODAY,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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As for their rematch, the end of May is just over two months away which puts a lot of pressure on the WBA to handle logistics and promote the fight.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
4 Mar. 2025
-
The rise of media coverage and social engagement has brought a fresh set of challenges, including the pressure that comes with public discourse.—
Jenn Nelson,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Trump’s style as President offers a case study in the risks of founder-style leadership without operational discipline.—
Paul Klein,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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The office also oversees a large data collection project that tracks disparities in resources, course access and discipline for students of different racial and socioeconomic groups.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Many borrowers are trying to enroll in the IBR plan, the only option not directly impacted by the court order, to continue progressing toward student loan forgiveness on IDR repayment terms or PSLF, given the ongoing SAVE plan forbearance and the new limitations placed on the ICR and PAYE plans.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Despite their limitations, electric weed eaters are better for the environment and quieter than gas weed eaters.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Gondry expands his eclectic filmography with this rejuvenating fantasia, revealing another facet of his creativity (and confessing a certain compulsion; when Maya declines to provide a title for a next short, his reaction is priceless).—
Sheri Linden,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Feb. 2025
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Overcoming the compulsions, the siren’s call, the lowest-common-denominator, tabloid, casino effect of everything in a very competitive attention environment where we’re driven toward the lowest common denominator.—
Sean Illing,
Vox,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Zelensky ordered this punishing act of political repression without due process or court proceedings.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The regime has intensified its control through evil levels of repression over the past three years.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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And how could anyone resist letting go of pesky inhibitions with Herman’s empowering score filling up Pasadena Playhouse with pure effervescence.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Nov. 2024
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This could be a time to release these inhibitions and accept new journeys rather than being stuck in old patterns.—
Athena Sobhan,
People.com,
30 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraint. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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