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
Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
At the same time, the government remains constrained by the conditions of its bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which limits its ability to introduce subsidies.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
The scene from my dream is commonplace not only in my adopted home, the United States, and other liberal democracies, but even, in a constrained fashion, in the neighboring Turkey and Pakistan.
—Arash Azizi, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Etiido Uko
march 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Investor universes are no longer constrained by geography, and advisory firms no longer need to be concentrated in a single financial district to compete at the highest level.
—William Jones, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Verb
Others scale power faster than the systems that constrain them — eventually, safety and governance feel like an afterthought.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
At the same time, the government remains constrained by the conditions of its bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which limits its ability to introduce subsidies.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Both fables and translations are forms of constrained writing.
—Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
The scene from my dream is commonplace not only in my adopted home, the United States, and other liberal democracies, but even, in a constrained fashion, in the neighboring Turkey and Pakistan.
—Arash Azizi, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Well, for starters, in environments where space is constrained, such as industrial sites, dense urban areas, or indoor facilities, the ability to move laterally without tilting greatly reduces collision risk.
—Etiido Uko
march 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Investor universes are no longer constrained by geography, and advisory firms no longer need to be concentrated in a single financial district to compete at the highest level.
—William Jones, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrain
Adjective
-
Even within a restrained palette, a strong silhouette can shift the entire room.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Ashe is a rocket ship that can’t be reined in, and watching the restrained, comparably rational Coop try to lasso him is reliably entertaining.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Her last and only boyfriend, Tim, would have been too inhibited.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Participants who appeared engaged, responsive, and comfortable in the interaction, maintaining eye contact and seeming open rather than inhibited, were far more likely to be liked.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Niall is mild-mannered, repressed, and fearful of facing his sexuality.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Tel Aviv, Israel — Undermining this moment of relief for many repressed Iranians is that killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a perilously simple fix to a very complex problem.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But the interiors are more disciplined—materials used in the rebuild were meticulously chosen by architect Tomoyuki Sakakida of the Japanese design firm New Material Research Laboratory and meant to oxidize over time.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
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.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Herbs and Spices A deep oven drawer might fit all your herb and spice jars in an orderly and easy-to-access fashion, but the warmth generated in this space can mean these seasonings will quickly lose their depth of flavor, aroma, and color.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
2 Apr. 2026
-
On the surface, at least, all of that would seem to make Karaban entirely ill-suited for Hurley – the orderly, math nerd introvert versus the whirling dervish extrovert.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
All is controllable via a simple bidirectional wheel that resets the indications instantaneously and remains synchronized from 1900 through 2099.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The Bulls can’t reasonably expect to surpass the Memphis Grizzlies in these standings, which means the race with the Bucks is their only remaining controllable variable in the season.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrain. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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