1
as in compels
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 regulates
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 constrains
Beijing’s close partnership with Pakistan — extending beyond economic corridors into military equipment and intelligence cooperation — further constrains how far ties can develop.
—
Spriha Srivastava, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
But digital illiteracy still constrains African banks’ ability to serve their customers, according to nearly 8 in 10 respondents, made up of 203 senior banking executives from 40 African countries.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2025
But Indonesian public opinion, too, now constrains Indonesian presidents.
—Ben Bland, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2024
Spriha Srivastava, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
But digital illiteracy still constrains African banks’ ability to serve their customers, according to nearly 8 in 10 respondents, made up of 203 senior banking executives from 40 African countries.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2025
But Indonesian public opinion, too, now constrains Indonesian presidents.
—Ben Bland, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrains
Verb
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Witkoff said the administration was considering a security arrangement similar to Article 5 of NATO, which compels all members to respond if any member is attacked.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
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For many of us, our imperfect vision compels us to wear corrective lenses to see properly.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The measure also regulates commercial cannabis activity and levies a 5% federal excise tax on marijuana products, rising to 8% after five years.—
A.J. Herrington,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Scientists have identified a protein that acts as a kind of traffic controller for fat inside cells, revealing a mechanism that could help explain how the body regulates energy storage and why things go wrong in metabolic disease.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Funding priorities shape program design, which forces leaders to think strategically about both impact and sustainability.—
TrickleUp,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Through her journey, Fauset forces us to confront the pain of exclusion and the price of access in a world built on rigid lines of race and gender.—
Glory Edim
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Beet Juice Beet juice contains antioxidants, which may benefit cholesterol control.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
1 Sep. 2025
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But tennis fashion contains multitudes.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Compulsory heterosexuality is a theoretical framework coined by lesbian scholar Adrienne Rich in 1980 to describe how heterosexuality as an institution compels and coerces female sexuality for patriarchal purposes.—
Quispe López,
Them.,
27 Aug. 2025
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The pic centers on Ali (Ekin Koç), a university professor who is haunted by the suspicious death of his ailing mother and coerces his enigmatic gardener to execute a cold-blooded act of vengeance.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And while the Fed controls a short-term rate, financial markets determine longer-term borrowing costs for mortgages and other loans.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
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But there's more at stake than simply the level of the three rates the Fed controls.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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An 1878 law known as the Posse Comitatus Act generally restrains the use of the military for such purposes.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
17 Aug. 2025
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In the footage, a Border Patrol agent is shown holding one man with his forearm across a man’s neck – and later, an FHP officer restrains the man who is tased, grabbing him around the neck area while the man is doubled down.—
Syra Ortiz-Blanes,
Miami Herald,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The site of the meeting is complicated as Putin faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court that obligates the 125 countries that are party to the court to arrest the Russian leader and transfer him to The Hague for trial.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
20 Aug. 2025
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The Finding, issued in 2009, legally obligates the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constrains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrains. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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