1
as in forcing
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 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of constraining
With Rafael Devers' contract no longer financially constraining the team, the money is there if the Red Sox want to keep Bregman around.
—
Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Mental health isn't about identity and constraining you.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
The result is a labor supply shock that economists say is constraining hiring, piling on pressure even as demand softens simultaneously.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
The general idea is that, if and when a stock breaks out from its typical range, the move could be extraordinary if that range had been constraining the stock for a long time.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
The Live Local Act, a Florida state law in effect since July 2023, was intended to generate more rental housing by incentivizing developers and constraining the ability of municipalities to restrict height and density of qualifying affordable developments.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
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
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
Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Mental health isn't about identity and constraining you.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
The result is a labor supply shock that economists say is constraining hiring, piling on pressure even as demand softens simultaneously.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
The general idea is that, if and when a stock breaks out from its typical range, the move could be extraordinary if that range had been constraining the stock for a long time.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
The Live Local Act, a Florida state law in effect since July 2023, was intended to generate more rental housing by incentivizing developers and constraining the ability of municipalities to restrict height and density of qualifying affordable developments.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraining
Verb
-
The outbreak was forcing a shortage of eggs as well, leading some grocers to restrict how many dozens of eggs consumers could buy per visit.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, American companies are beginning to pay attention to these Chinese AI giants, forcing them to grapple more publicly with copyright protections.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Letizia says his dispensary in Menomonee Falls supports regulating hemp, including requiring testing products and setting a statewide age restriction.—
Gina Lee Castro,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The heat exchanger is expected to be critical in regulating the substantial heat produced by hydrogen fuel cells, ensuring safety and efficiency in flight operations.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Other charges dismissed as part of an April plea agreement included two counts of persuading or coercing a minor to engage in prostitution.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The statute allows students to reflect, meditate, pray, or sit quietly by individual choice, but prohibits schools from coercing students into any particular activity.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Dutch Bros 'controlling this corner,' Uncle Bill's says Dutch Bros was created in 1992 in Grants Pass, Oregon, by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Return slowly on an inhale, controlling the resistance.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And yet, today, a few pieces of evidence are compelling us to reconsider this scenario.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
3 Oct. 2025
-
San Mateo County has yet to release spending and contract records from a misconduct investigation into Sheriff Christina Corpus, despite a court order more than three weeks ago compelling their disclosure.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
China's official gauge for manufacturing activity showed a smaller-than-expected contraction in September as Beijing intensified its efforts aimed at curbing industrial overcapacity amid sluggish domestic demand and global trade disruptions.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Some developers will even build their own parallel roads, curbing costs for ITD, Wald said.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
However, people who are allergic to olives should avoid all products containing olives, including olive oil.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The suspect, who had been living in the town of Starnberg south of the city, had been carrying a backpack containing an explosive device, a Bavaria police statement said earlier.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraining. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share