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
The fact that Starlink PNT is limited to communication with a single satellite at a time also constrains performance, whereas receiving multiple satellite measurement signals from many different angles could improve its accuracy.
—
Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Meanwhile, Europe is grappling with higher energy prices as the Iran conflict severely constrains oil exports from the Middle East.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
That deeply constrains everything that occurs in the show’s first outing, which can’t see Mike, El, Dustin, Lucas, or Max grow as characters in ways that bump up against their arcs from the original show, or let the new addition Nikki (Odessa A’zion) become too firmly entrenched in their lives.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
But when resistance is too high, when something constrains electron flow through the mitochondria, the system backs up.
—Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
This includes other priority areas along the Florida Wildlife Corridor where development constrains animal movement.
—Eve Bohnett, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Limited access constrains health care, education, digital connectivity and job creation.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
This propulsion system limits responsiveness and constrains the precision with which a drone can control its position and attitude simultaneously.
—Etiido Uko
march 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Inflation constrains monetary easing.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Meanwhile, Europe is grappling with higher energy prices as the Iran conflict severely constrains oil exports from the Middle East.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
That deeply constrains everything that occurs in the show’s first outing, which can’t see Mike, El, Dustin, Lucas, or Max grow as characters in ways that bump up against their arcs from the original show, or let the new addition Nikki (Odessa A’zion) become too firmly entrenched in their lives.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
But when resistance is too high, when something constrains electron flow through the mitochondria, the system backs up.
—Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
This includes other priority areas along the Florida Wildlife Corridor where development constrains animal movement.
—Eve Bohnett, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Limited access constrains health care, education, digital connectivity and job creation.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
This propulsion system limits responsiveness and constrains the precision with which a drone can control its position and attitude simultaneously.
—Etiido Uko
march 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Inflation constrains monetary easing.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrains
Verb
-
The legal agreement also compels TCH to fire multiple physicians who performed these procedures, revoke their privileges, and never hire or credential such doctors.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
15 May 2026
-
The subpoena compels the NFL to produce extensive records dating back to 2020 (and earlier for some items) covering the Rooney Rule, the Offensive Assistant Mandate, Resolution JC-2A, the Accelerator Program and the Mackie Development Program.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The endocannabinoid system—a brain system that regulates mood, sleep, memory and appetite—also undergoes substantial growth and signaling activity during adolescence.—
Sara Novak,
Scientific American,
18 May 2026
-
This releases nutrient-rich fungi and bacteria to the soil, regulates soil temperature, and helps retain moisture.—
Rachel Silva,
Martha Stewart,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Experts have described the phenomenon as an invisible crisis with long-term humanitarian consequences — there are few official figures on the number of displaced people, who have almost no resources to turn to once violence forces them to leave.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
-
Fighting battery fires Lead-acid batteries still dominate nearly 90 percent of UPS backup systems globally, but their low power density often forces operators to install oversized battery banks to meet sudden power demand.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The grain contains avenanthramides, which are antioxidants found exclusively in oats, says Coogan.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
17 May 2026
-
Wallace Chan’s Secular Interpretation of Religious Rituals Oil and water play central roles in the installation, which, like many of Chan’s creations, contains layered meanings.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
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However, the rotation of this filament clearly dominates how the galaxies within it spin, perhaps by funneling hydrogen gas along the dark-matter filament and onto the galaxies in a way that coerces their spin while providing further fuel for star formation.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
4 Dec. 2025
-
Haunted by the suspicious death of his ailing mother, Ali, a university professor, coerces his enigmatic gardener to execute a cold-blooded act of vengeance.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Beijing controls the supply chain for many obscure minerals that are critical components of smartphones, cars and weapons.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
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One of these groups, the M23 Movement, controls parts of neighboring North Kivu Province.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The court replaced it with a read-in version that obliges parliament to refer a panel’s findings to the impeachment committee, which is responsible for conducting a full inquiry into the hearing evidence, determining whether grounds exist to remove a sitting president.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
8 May 2026
-
Johnson obliges, gently removing the lid.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
At certain points in the novel, that distance calcifies and restrains his writing.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
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And most of the officials agreed that the Fed’s key rate is close to a level that neither stimulates nor restrains the economy.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constrains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrains. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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