1
as in restraint
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
in civilized society people do not just say or do whatever they feel like—they exercise some constraint
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2
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
put legal constraints on the board's activities
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another
parental constraint can take several different forms, including a denial of the approval that children usually seek from their parents
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of constraint
The result is not simply literature about war, but literature produced within war’s conditions and constraints.
—
Alex Averbuch, Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
For the Olympic athletes coming to the city in 2028, especially Americans, many of whom make far less than the average NFL player, Bianco worries how the state's current tax system could put them at a disadvantage due to financial constraints.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Several parents in the district were upset when McKinney ISD closed three elementary schools due to budget constraints and because homes in the area are not affordable for young families.
—Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
The study itself doesn’t make conservation recommendations, but the geographic constraint is a detail worth watching as more research follows.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Alex Averbuch, Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
For the Olympic athletes coming to the city in 2028, especially Americans, many of whom make far less than the average NFL player, Bianco worries how the state's current tax system could put them at a disadvantage due to financial constraints.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Several parents in the district were upset when McKinney ISD closed three elementary schools due to budget constraints and because homes in the area are not affordable for young families.
—Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
The study itself doesn’t make conservation recommendations, but the geographic constraint is a detail worth watching as more research follows.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint
Noun
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Just like human relationships, the success of intelligent environments will depend not only on intelligence, but on tone, rhythm, restraint and trust.—
Nathanael Bondu,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
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But aggressive corporate action has yet to be matched by restraint through regulatory action, Russell said.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Beijing has balked at any restrictions on its smaller but growing nuclear arsenal and denies carrying out such a nuclear test.—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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In September, a state appeals court ordered Huntington Beach to update its housing element within 120 days and allowed state regulators to impose restrictions on the city’s control over permitting and development in the meantime.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Washington is ramping up pressure on Tehran, amassing aircraft and warships in the Middle East, and sanctioning more than 30 entities that support Iranian oil and weapons sales.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
26 Feb. 2026
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The heroes were Bruce Brown for his relentless ball pressure, Spencer Jones for his pesky physicality and Cam Johnson for his heady defensive impact as much as Jokic for his typical box score theatrics.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Data discipline allows organizations to connect real-time industrial conditions to enterprise workflows, making sure decisions are based on trustworthy and contextual information.—
William Jones,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
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His lack of messaging discipline has been on display after concerns about high costs of living helped propel Democratic wins around the country on Election Day last November.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Louis Angles, a Clay County judge, however, chose to decrease King’s bail to $2 million cash with additional limitations.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
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Questions and limitations of relying on DNA While police have increasingly used genetic databases to solve high-profile cases, the practice has long prompted ethical and privacy concerns.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Downgrading to a simpler phone, such as an old-school flip phone, could also help curb social media compulsions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
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But the ethical questions that the case had raised—about the meaning of family and the commodification of children, the tension between reproductive autonomy and contractual compulsion—were left painfully unresolved.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a group that focuses on reporting repressions in Iran, over 6,000 have been confirmed dead and over 17,000 deaths are under investigation.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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This practice dates back to the Soviet period but resurfaced as political repression increased after Putin’s return to the presidency in 2012.—
Elizaveta Gaufman,
The Conversation,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The inhibition system is triggered by the possibility of punishment.—
Amy Cuddy,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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In a race to find out who caused this marital mayhem, emotions will be high, inhibitions will be low, and everyone will have access to an open bar.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraint. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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