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
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 18 June 2026
Both Nanjiani’s castmates, and Davies and Horne, ribbed him as a famous Hollywood interloper on their little show, and that label stuck in a way that seemed to limit his gameplay and constrain the show’s own sense of humor.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 10 Apr. 2026
In other words, giving reasonable levers for constrained districts and kids who have a clear career pathway that doesn’t require language study.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
The Pope’s encyclical focuses on humanity and demands that power be constrained by morality.
—Vilas Dhar, Time, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Verb
In a contract summary, the DGA said that the limit is intended to preserve directors’ jobs, but is not meant to constrain opportunities for those with a sincere interest in becoming directors.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 18 June 2026
Both Nanjiani’s castmates, and Davies and Horne, ribbed him as a famous Hollywood interloper on their little show, and that label stuck in a way that seemed to limit his gameplay and constrain the show’s own sense of humor.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Adjective
When temperatures drop, gas demand climbs, and constrained pipelines that supply the region reach capacity, pushing up electric prices.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 10 Apr. 2026
In other words, giving reasonable levers for constrained districts and kids who have a clear career pathway that doesn’t require language study.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
In practice, though, all presidents have felt politically constrained by it.
—Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
The Pope’s encyclical focuses on humanity and demands that power be constrained by morality.
—Vilas Dhar, Time, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrain
Verb
-
The labor shortage could compel the Kremlin to recruit more labor from India, North Korea and various African nations to ease pressures on both the civilian and military sectors.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
Residents in Miami-Dade's Redland area are mobilizing to compel county officials to allocate dedicated annual funding for road resurfacing and maintenance, citing dangerous and deep potholes that frequently damage vehicles.—
Steve Maugeri,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Assemblyman Alex Bores is locked in a tight race ahead of the June 23 primary and may have benefitted from a flood of attack advertising sponsored by tech billionaires who don’t like his focus on regulating artificial intelligence.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
-
Ozempic contains semaglutide, which mimics GLP-1, a gut hormone that — per Harvard Health — slows digestion, signals fullness and helps regulate blood sugar.—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
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The bill is bipartisan, and the Republican Cruz previously criticized the Republican Carr for coercing ABC into suspending Jimmy Kimmel.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 June 2026
-
But the judges said Thursday there was no evidence of torture and that investigators did not appear to have coerced the confessions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The Chiefs Hall of Honor on the second-level concourse contains the organization’s four Super Bowl trophies, memorabilia, exhibits and documents, and there is no admission to walk through history.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
-
The farm system does not contain an endless supply of prospects.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Initiative, dubbed a ‘Swiss Brexit,’ sought binding limits by 2050, forcing strict curbs on asylum, family reunification and work permits, potentially dismantling Switzerland’s deal on free movement of people and close EU ties.—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
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Britain has increasingly toughened its approach to tech companies in recent years, urging or forcing them to impose age verification, adapt their algorithms and, most recently, prevent children from circulating nude images taken on mobile phones.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Non-chemical methods like rinsing, soapy water, and attracting predator insects can control aphids.—
Abby Monteil,
The Spruce,
12 June 2026
-
Testing robotics beyond factory floors Industrial robots have long been used in factories, where conditions are highly controlled.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Analogously, the Big 12 could assert that it is obligated to take action against Texas Tech, and that failure to do so would undermine its own bylaws.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 June 2026
-
And not only is the government legally obligated to allow for comments on the rule, they are also obliged to respond.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Police believe they were both properly restrained at the time of the crash.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
-
As analyzed in work on conservative ideology, many on the right view scientific agencies as closely intertwined with expansions of environmental, health, and social regulation, and therefore treat challenges to those agencies as part of a broader effort to restrain government.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrain. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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