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
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Recent Examples of constraining
That audience members, by virtue of access to a camera, keyboard, and the Internet, can capture, compile, edit, frame, and package an event as news without any regard to journalistic ethics is liberating and constraining at the same time.
—
Shepherd Mpofu, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
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
The Edds lawsuit seeks a ruling that limits the city’s authority on the existing pavement footprint, constraining its ability to respond to future bluff movement.
—Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Together, these trends suggest that future enrollment levels will be shaped by both expanding and constraining forces.
—Aparna Soni, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026
The peace deal should include restrictions on Iran nuclear capabilities and reopening the global trade artery of the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for lifting all economic sanctions constraining Iran.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
The war is constraining oil exports and prompting major producers like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to scale back output as shipments face growing obstacles.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
The war is constraining oil exports and prompting major producers like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to scale back output as shipments face growing obstacles.
—Rio Yamat, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
As for why the Legislature hasn’t done more to stem the flow of money into the system, Bakken said that constraining donors too greatly could push them to divert cash from campaign donations into commercials and mailers in support of candidates, something candidates legally can’t control.
—Rob Davis, ProPublica, 13 Mar. 2026
Shepherd Mpofu, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
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
The Edds lawsuit seeks a ruling that limits the city’s authority on the existing pavement footprint, constraining its ability to respond to future bluff movement.
—Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Together, these trends suggest that future enrollment levels will be shaped by both expanding and constraining forces.
—Aparna Soni, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026
The peace deal should include restrictions on Iran nuclear capabilities and reopening the global trade artery of the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for lifting all economic sanctions constraining Iran.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
The war is constraining oil exports and prompting major producers like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to scale back output as shipments face growing obstacles.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
The war is constraining oil exports and prompting major producers like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to scale back output as shipments face growing obstacles.
—Rio Yamat, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
As for why the Legislature hasn’t done more to stem the flow of money into the system, Bakken said that constraining donors too greatly could push them to divert cash from campaign donations into commercials and mailers in support of candidates, something candidates legally can’t control.
—Rob Davis, ProPublica, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraining
Verb
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Things quickly changed, however, as Orlando’s defense stopped forcing turnovers and its offense came to a halt.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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The staff union picketed outside the SAG-AFTRA building, where those negotiations were held for the first two weeks, blocking entrances to the parking garage and forcing negotiators to cross a picket line to get inside.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the local level, laws and practices regulating gun dealers can vary widely from city to city.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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In much the same way, the government could pass new laws regulating AI firms’ commercial activities.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Prior to his 2011 conviction, Jeffs was charged and convicted of being an accomplice to rape in September 2007 after coercing a 14-year-old to marry her 19-year-old cousin, though the ruling was later overturned by the Utah Supreme Court over faulty jury instructions, according to CBS News.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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Indonesia responded the following day by coercing the UDT and APODETI, among others, into issuing and signing the Balibo Declaration, which proclaimed the integration of East Timor into Indonesia.—
Agathe Demarolle,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her students have more trouble controlling their bodies and expressing their feelings.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
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Federal officials recently launched a prize competition to reward ideas for controlling the flow of aquatic species into and out of the ballasts of boats that travel among the various lakes and waterways across the United States.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
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For two months, Democrats have forced a series of votes aimed at compelling the Administration to either wind down the conflict or seek authorization.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 Apr. 2026
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On March 17, the House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena to Bondi, compelling her to sit for a deposition about the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files on April 14.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As Texas starts curbing which topics and classes can be taught at public universities and colleges, students and campus communities are fighting back.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
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This is part of curbing undue corporate influence and having accountable neighbors.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The unions argue that carrying out permanent layoffs during a funding lapse violates the Antideficiency Act, which bars agencies from obligating funds without congressional authorization, and exceeds executive authority under the Administrative Procedure Act.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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But the most common proxies, including tree rings, pollen and ice cores containing pockets of ancient air, have already been well studied.—
Hannah Richter,
Scientific American,
7 May 2026
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Suitcases are discovered, containing plot devices.—
Robert Lloyd,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraining. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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