1
as in forcing
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
constrained by conscience to tell only the truth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in regulating
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 constraining
Methodical science could perhaps be accused of constraining our collective imagination.
—
David W. Brown, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
There is no collective leadership constraining the Kremlin.
—Celeste A. Wallander, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025
Higher tariffs are weighing on manufacturers and exporters, while immigration restrictions are constraining the supply of workers in industries that rely heavily on lower-skilled labor, such as construction, agriculture, retail, and hospitality.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
There are talent shortages constraining the development of these sectors.
—Vilius Kavaliauskas, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
But the governor’s new law constraining prosecutors from making such deals could ensure that Gray spends the remainder of his days in Angola.
—Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2025
But the Yalta option is not the only diplomatic avenue available today, Radchenko added, because the US does not need Russia for anything, and is able to help Kyiv in constraining Moscow’s ambitions.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025
The importance of the Black Sea for Russia increased further after Finland and Sweden joined the NATO in 2023 and 2024, reinforcing the alliance’s eastern flank and constraining Russia in the Baltic.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 19 Aug. 2025
David W. Brown, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025
There is no collective leadership constraining the Kremlin.
—Celeste A. Wallander, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025
Higher tariffs are weighing on manufacturers and exporters, while immigration restrictions are constraining the supply of workers in industries that rely heavily on lower-skilled labor, such as construction, agriculture, retail, and hospitality.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
There are talent shortages constraining the development of these sectors.
—Vilius Kavaliauskas, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
But the governor’s new law constraining prosecutors from making such deals could ensure that Gray spends the remainder of his days in Angola.
—Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2025
But the Yalta option is not the only diplomatic avenue available today, Radchenko added, because the US does not need Russia for anything, and is able to help Kyiv in constraining Moscow’s ambitions.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025
The importance of the Black Sea for Russia increased further after Finland and Sweden joined the NATO in 2023 and 2024, reinforcing the alliance’s eastern flank and constraining Russia in the Baltic.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraining
Verb
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The storm reshaped the coastline, forcing a rushed build and rebuild of the course.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Wildfires destroyed 12,000 structures around Altadena and Pacific Palisades – cutting housing supply and forcing victims to seek new living arrangements.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Much of Emery’s strategy is about organisation and regulating the game’s tempo.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing rolling back what's known as the endangerment finding, the basis for rules regulating climate pollution, including from coal and gas-fired power plants, cars and trucks, and methane from the oil and gas industry.—
Julia Simon,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The allegations come amid the ongoing fallout of felony perjury and bribery charges filed in 2023 against Tran, who is accused of paying off and coercing a witness in a separate 2011 murder case.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
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Pressuring or coercing someone into ending their life would be punishable by up to 14 years in prison.—
Alistair Smout,
USA TODAY,
29 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Part of her had always felt an aching imposter syndrome and a difficulty controlling her emotions.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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These are essential for controlling the whip-like motion that propels sperm forward.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In season four, Mike’s control over Kingstown is threatened as new players compete to fill the power vacuum left in the Russians’ wake, compelling him to confront the resulting gang war and stop them from swallowing the town.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
20 Aug. 2025
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This approach would have put unions on the defensive, compelling them to confront the state’s dire financial realities.—
Frank Ricci,
Hartford Courant,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Marquette University launched a new police unit focused on curbing reckless driving around campus just a few months before two student-athletes died in a crash about a mile from campus.—
Kelly Meyerhofer,
jsonline.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Stop & Shop lowered its prices on thousands of items in late August, in a separate initiative, but a company representative told the Herald that curbing shoplifting remained on its radar.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This document, signed by a sponsor, is a legally enforceable contract obligating the sponsor to support the immigrant and prevent them from relying on public aid.—
Daniel Shoer Roth,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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The following year, legislation was passed formally designating these problems as matters of national concern and obligating local governments to implement countermeasures.—
Gil Press,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In February, a fire destroyed a South Korean budget carrier Air Busan plane, which subsequently prohibited carry-on luggage containing portable chargers from being stored in overhead bins.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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On DSPs and at digital retailers, the 23 new songs merely comprise disc one of Swag II, with a second disc also containing the 21 songs originally released as Swag the First.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraining. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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