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
No equivalent mechanism constrains the Federal Reserve.
—
Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
In this domain, AI agents have the potential to alleviate an increasingly acute shortage of engineering talent that constrains product development, customization, and innovation.
—Paul Eremenko, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Modern economies run on energy, yet the United States increasingly constrains supply through permitting delays.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 25 Dec. 2025
Its outcome could define how far immigration officers may go in workplaces across the country, shaping protections for millions of Americans employed in industries with large immigrant labor forces and testing whether the Fourth Amendment meaningfully constrains interior enforcement.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Viral outrage, administrative investigations and threats to cut state or federal funding to schools can all contribute to an intensifying climate of fear of retribution that constrains educators’ ability to teach freely.
—Laura Gail Miller, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025
Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2025
For what constrains both young men is not their actual jobs or income, but their status.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2025
The law also constrains practices that had allowed towing companies to start the sales process for some vehicles after 15 days.
—Dave Altimari, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025
Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
In this domain, AI agents have the potential to alleviate an increasingly acute shortage of engineering talent that constrains product development, customization, and innovation.
—Paul Eremenko, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Modern economies run on energy, yet the United States increasingly constrains supply through permitting delays.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 25 Dec. 2025
Its outcome could define how far immigration officers may go in workplaces across the country, shaping protections for millions of Americans employed in industries with large immigrant labor forces and testing whether the Fourth Amendment meaningfully constrains interior enforcement.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Viral outrage, administrative investigations and threats to cut state or federal funding to schools can all contribute to an intensifying climate of fear of retribution that constrains educators’ ability to teach freely.
—Laura Gail Miller, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025
Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2025
For what constrains both young men is not their actual jobs or income, but their status.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 25 Sep. 2025
The law also constrains practices that had allowed towing companies to start the sales process for some vehicles after 15 days.
—Dave Altimari, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrains
Verb
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This same self-centeredness compels his girlfriend (Olivia Thirlby) to move out of their modest apartment without warning.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
-
North Carolina requires vaccines without enforcement State law compels North Carolina school principals to require that kindergartners get seven vaccinations within 30 days of the start of the school year.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This is unacceptable from the nation’s aviation safety regulator and points to deeper structural problems within the FAA, which provides air traffic control services and regulates them.—
Marc Scribner,
Oc Register,
8 Feb. 2026
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The tuber also provides vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant, and fiber, which aids digestion, boosts satiety, and regulates blood sugar.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That vacancy now forces Kehoe’s office to search for other candidates at a crucial time as the city prepares to host World Cup matches this summer.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
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Weird news or a bizarre conversation forces you to change course as Mercury and Uranus clash!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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China has laid out an ambitious lunar plan to land astronauts on the moon before 2030, targeting the south pole, which contains water ice and other resources critical for long-term lunar exploration and settlement.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
This all-important ingredient contains nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK), and promotes healthy, strong growth.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 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
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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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As more of the efforts face legal challenges, courts could indirectly dictate who controls the House of Representatives next year based on which hyper-partisan maps are allowed to be installed ahead of midterm elections.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Feb. 2026
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Appian co-founder CEO, chairman, and president Matthew Calkins controls about 39% of the voting power, two of the other three founders are on the nine-person board with many other directors being former employees of Appian or having relationships with Calkins.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hayley obliges, perhaps too enthusiastically, prompting Yasmin to get involved in the action herself so as not to be outdone in the endless game of power play.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
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The senior wants the ball and Lake Travis obliges in giving it to him.—
Colby Gordon,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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According to projections made at the December meeting, that’s only about half a percentage point from the committee consensus on the neutral rate, or one that neither supports nor restrains growth.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2026
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There are also possible free speech claims if the law restrains NIL opportunities and interferes with First Amendment freedom of expression.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constrains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrains. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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