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
In effect, Ukraine is replicating siege conditions across the wider battlefield, systematically constraining the flow of supplies to Russian forces rather than isolating a single city.
—
Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
The conflict looms large over the film’s Kosovar Albanian teens — as does institutionalized discrimination against them — but Basholli’s intentionally blinkered focus, through the eyes of her 13-year-old protagonist, proves constraining and liberating all at once.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 May 2026
Grid bottlenecks, aging transport systems, and slow project approvals are constraining expansion just as demand for power and advanced facilities ramps up.
—Eric Kutcher, Fortune, 13 May 2026
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
Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
The conflict looms large over the film’s Kosovar Albanian teens — as does institutionalized discrimination against them — but Basholli’s intentionally blinkered focus, through the eyes of her 13-year-old protagonist, proves constraining and liberating all at once.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 May 2026
Grid bottlenecks, aging transport systems, and slow project approvals are constraining expansion just as demand for power and advanced facilities ramps up.
—Eric Kutcher, Fortune, 13 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraining
Verb
-
In February 2024, the only mammographer at the Aurora VA facility left, forcing it to close its breast-cancer screening program and refer any veterans needing mammograms to community providers.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
26 May 2026
-
Exposure has a way of forcing decisions that policy alone avoids.—
Joern Hackbarth,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Genes regulating stem cell populations, redox balance and cell-to-cell communication were also expanded or distinctly modified.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
What role should the state play, if at all, in regulating AI to protect Bay Area workers and/or consumers?—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit also claims officers choked Day and slammed him against a wall, eventually coercing him into confessing to killing Irving and Garcia.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
And there’s a chance the Giants vote against Sacramento as an expansion site because the Giants want to continue controlling the market.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
-
As with minimizing soil disturbance, this, too, helps tremendously with controlling erosion, increasing the carbon content of soil and conserving moisture.—
Special to The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Selaocoe extends that feeling after the song ends by once again compelling the audience to join him in song.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
22 May 2026
-
Her new perspective gazes at us directly, compelling us to meet her eye.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 May 2026
Verb
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The need for fresh, outside funding will dilute the investors buying at the debut, and raise interest costs, curbing profitability.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
-
The governor also signed two bills Wednesday aimed at curbing potentially harmful interactions between people and wildlife.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
28 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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To give your skin an extra hydration boost, layer on a gentle serum containing Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid first.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
28 May 2026
-
The firefighting foam containing PFAS was effective against fuel fires.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraining. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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