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
as in restrained
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in compelled
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
constrained by conscience to tell only the truth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in controlled
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
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Recent Examples of constrain
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
But when resistance is too high, when something constrains electron flow through the mitochondria, the system backs up.
—Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 25 Mar. 2026
But his brain-imaging studies suggest that, during a psychedelic trip, communication between different regions of the brain becomes far less constrained than during normal consciousness, allowing new ways of thinking to emerge.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Those who have adopted its use for shopping are driven primarily by convenience and efficiency, but many are constrained by concerns around trust and authenticity.
—Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Verb
The Iran war has led to a virtual stoppage in ships traversing the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, constraining the flow of global energy supplies.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
But when resistance is too high, when something constrains electron flow through the mitochondria, the system backs up.
—Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The airline’s efforts to revive services have been held back by the closure of Qatar’s airspace, alongside the company’s heavier dependence on long-haul corridors that remain constrained.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 25 Mar. 2026
But his brain-imaging studies suggest that, during a psychedelic trip, communication between different regions of the brain becomes far less constrained than during normal consciousness, allowing new ways of thinking to emerge.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
With the Iranian supplies constrained, Beijing has turned to Russia to fill the gap.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Those who have adopted its use for shopping are driven primarily by convenience and efficiency, but many are constrained by concerns around trust and authenticity.
—Amy O’Brien, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrain
Adjective
-
To the left is a relaxed deck for post-dip chilling; to the right is the beautifully restrained restaurant, partly enclosed in a glasshouse with an undulating canopy roof.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Neither restrained nor overpowering.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
School is the crucible where raw vitality encounters the collective will to impose order and control but also to bring cultural richness to lives that might otherwise remain inhibited and crude.—
Tim Parks,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Her last and only boyfriend, Tim, would have been too inhibited.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The film explores a teenager’s struggles in 1998 alongside his mother’s repressed trauma from the 1948 Jeju April 3 Uprising.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Fuqua’s focus is on the music, with songwriting, video production and choreography scenes, and full-length live performances tackled with staggering precision by Jaafar Jackson, who also sensitively delivers Michael’s repressed anguish in confrontational scenes with his father.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Join us for our third CNBC Pro LIVE, where investors of all backgrounds - from financial professionals to everyday individuals - come together to cut through the noise and gain actionable strategies for smarter, more disciplined investing.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, the Big East flourished under Ackerman’s disciplined stewardship.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Eminence has suspended redemptions in order to facilitate an orderly wind down, Sandler said in the letter.—
Hema Parmar,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Discipline unraveled, and once-orderly classrooms turned chaotic.—
Steven F. Wilson,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But that’s thing about whiskey—science and controllable elements are certainly part of the process, but then there’s also the fact that nature just takes its course.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Health was the one controllable variable that was unambiguous.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrain. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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