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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of constraint
In practice, mathematicians try to write the problem’s geometric constraints as a collection of equations, then figure out how many solutions satisfy all those equations simultaneously.
—
Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025
Though still niche and operating under conservative content constraints, Pakistan’s horror genre continues to find footing through hybrid narratives, festival exposure, and indie experimentation.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025
OpenAI regularly faces severe capacity constraints to produce those outputs, which leads to limits on how often its users can query the chatbot.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025
Because of the time constraints — workers get about 45 seconds to complete each task — a part that requires 14 motions to install instead of two or three opens the door to potential mistakes on the line.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025
Though still niche and operating under conservative content constraints, Pakistan’s horror genre continues to find footing through hybrid narratives, festival exposure, and indie experimentation.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025
OpenAI regularly faces severe capacity constraints to produce those outputs, which leads to limits on how often its users can query the chatbot.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025
Because of the time constraints — workers get about 45 seconds to complete each task — a part that requires 14 motions to install instead of two or three opens the door to potential mistakes on the line.
—Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint
Noun
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The reports obtained by The Post show a barrage of complaints from youth that staff used excessive force during restraints or other physical management responses at the state’s 14 facilities.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
-
But Trump in his second term has discarded any remaining shreds of conservative restraint (small government?—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Trump has imposed wide-ranging tariffs on much of the world, carried out a mass deportation program, and introduced restrictions on legal immigration, including the most recent change to the H-1B program.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
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The existing Kwik Trip store will be put up for sale with a deed restriction that does not allow a convenience store or fueling station to be in its place, according to village documents.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Air pressure in the plane keeps them closed when the plane is cruising.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Blitzes aren’t getting home Through three games, the Dolphins have blitzed opposing quarterbacks more than any other team in the NFL, yet have the fewest amount of pressures.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Advertisement The Manning brothers' presence as executive producers ensured Chad Powers wasn't just a comedy about rebuilding but a football story rooted in preparation and discipline, down to the accuracy of Powell’s shotgun snaps.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
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The discipline followed the coaches' backing of Reeve and their vocal criticisms of officials.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
So my manner of speech, my ‘personality,’ and even my self-limitations were shaped to reduce resistance and maximize utility, comfort, and trust.—
Gary Greenberg,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Although anecdotal, this survey of directors shows both the limitations and the potential of AI to assist boards of directors.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Castro’s talent lies in meticulously creating a realistic—and entertaining—portrait of one man’s compulsions, bringing individual texture to a curious social phenomenon.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
-
And that compulsion — a genuine, profound desire to share her findings with the world — makes for a classic, stick-to-your ribs documentary experience about a fascinating person.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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From reform to repression Vučić’s reaction to the protests and his cozying up to leaders of Russia and China reveal how the Serbian leader’s politics have changed.—
Hanna Begić,
The Conversation,
29 Sep. 2025
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There is still a way to stop such repression.—
Patrick Eddington,
Oc Register,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Maintaining the correct proportion of excitation to inhibition is critical for keeping the brain healthy and harmonious.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Sep. 2025
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This also supports the idea that swearing can momentarily activate mental states that reduce inhibition and allow the body and mind to perform at a higher level.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraint. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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