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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of constraint
However, despite debt constraints and what appears for now to be a big gap between the House and Senate positions on bonding, the Xcel request may not be dead yet.
—
Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 20 Apr. 2025
In 2018, Griffith’s mother, who was a diabetic, suffered a minor toe infection that, due to financial constraints and limited healthcare options, escalated into a devastating amputation.
—USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Given the financial constraints, H243 proponents envision a future where easing regulations could help more women open home day care businesses.
—Rachel Cohen, Vox, 17 Apr. 2025
Progress will depend not only on technical success but also on consistent funding, especially as budgetary constraints have recently led to the cancellation of major U.S. hypersonic missile programs.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 20 Apr. 2025
In 2018, Griffith’s mother, who was a diabetic, suffered a minor toe infection that, due to financial constraints and limited healthcare options, escalated into a devastating amputation.
—USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Given the financial constraints, H243 proponents envision a future where easing regulations could help more women open home day care businesses.
—Rachel Cohen, Vox, 17 Apr. 2025
Progress will depend not only on technical success but also on consistent funding, especially as budgetary constraints have recently led to the cancellation of major U.S. hypersonic missile programs.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint
Noun
-
The holding was manifestly correct, but the dicta may be equally important in counseling greater restraint on both sides.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Apr. 2025
-
After three consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final from 2020-22, the combination of age and salary-cap restraints had diminished the Tampa Bay roster.—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Some cities and retailers banned plastic straws, and a few states imposed restrictions.—
Hiroko Tabuchi,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Judges have recently blocked or suspended efforts by the Trump administration to ban transgender people from the military, abolish the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and to place restrictions on birthright citizenship.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Fed's most potent weapon against inflation is to ratchet up or maintain higher interest rates, because an increase in borrowing costs slows economic demand, which eases inflationary pressures.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2025
-
After wriggling away from pressure, Watkins’ strike deflected off Schar and past Nick Pope in goal.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Finch was unimpressed with his team’s offensive game plan discipline in the face of a desperate defense.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Harvard must investigate and carry out meaningful discipline for all violations that occurred during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years, including the Harvard Business School protest of October 2023, the University Hall sit-in of November 2023, and the spring encampment of 2024.—
Kayla Jimenez,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Elderly adults are more susceptible to diseases, impairments and mobility limitations that require prescription drugs and accessories like walkers, shower seats, incontinence products, pacemakers and insulin pumps.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Read product labels for specific uses and limitations.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Every Wednesday, women in Iran would film videos of themselves walking unveiled, a peaceful protest against compulsion.—
Katrina Kaufman,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Creating collages is almost a compulsion, a way for Jarmusch to escape from the world and nestle into self-reflection.—
Renée Reizman,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Documenting Jenna’s bold art and activism, this film offers a powerful, intimate look at resilience under repression.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Apr. 2025
-
At the heart of his writing is the idea of providing a deeper and more nuanced understanding of a country that lost a quarter of its population in less than a decade — one that goes beyond the images of humanitarian emergencies, crime, repression and economic collapse.—
Roxsy Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Read More: 8 Things to Say During a Fight With Your Partner Swearing seems to help people shed their social inhibitions, according to Stephens, one of the study’s authors.—
Stacey Colino,
Time,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Those raising awareness of the Arabic Facebook posts feel no such inhibition.—
Ben Sales,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraint. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share