Synonyms of constraint

constraint

noun

kən-ˈstrānt 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• restraint
• discipline
• repression
• inhibition
• suppression
• composure
• discretion
• self-control
• reserve
• refrainment
• self-restraint
• continence
• control
• self-command
• possession
• mastery
• willpower
• distance
• self-discipline
• will
• silence
• command
• reticence
• modesty
• self-censorship
• bashfulness
• self-containment
• aloofness
• shyness
• self-denial
• self-mastery
• self-government
• taciturnity
• self-poise
• self-possession
• detachedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incontinence
• disinhibition
• unconstraint
• gratification
• indulgence
• frankness
• candor
• overindulgence
• bluntness
• uninhibitedness
• intemperance
• self-abandonment
• unrestrainedness
• self-indulgence
• immoderacy

2

as in restriction

something that limits one's freedom of action or choice

put legal constraints on the board's activities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• restriction
• limitation
• restraint
• condition
• curb
• stricture
• exception
• circumscription
• prohibition
• check
• stipulation
• fetter
• proviso
• qualification
• reservation
• strings
• ban
• proscription

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freedom
• latitude

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pressure
• compulsion
• coercion
• intimidation
• violence
• duress
• threat
• force
• stress
• fear
• arm-twisting
• strength
• menace
• terror
• sword
• terrorism
• squeeze
• muscle
• bullying
• potency
• strain
• might
• browbeating
• bulldozing
• willfulness
• squeeze play
• self-will
• puissance
• hardheadedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agreement
• approval
• consent
• permission
• reason
• persuasion
• suasion
• convincing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of constraint

Benegal recalls the constraints under which the film was originally mixed. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Yet the real story now is refining constraints that are keeping fuel prices high. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026

This year, bolt-holes from Jackson Hole to Courchevel are imposing the same constraints—the Les Airelles property in the French Alps, for example, has a 14-night requirement—as are some five-star villas. — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2026

When toggled on, the system must completely shut down its internal brevity algorithms, ignore corporate formatting templates, and allocate the necessary computing power to follow the user's explicit structural constraints to the letter. — New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026