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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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
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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
Using algorithms, rather than GPS connections, to fly drones will ease these constraints.
—
Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The Sentinel missile is also larger than the Minuteman, creating space constraints within the older silos.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
Five years on, that constraint defines the company.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
But economic downturns, budget constraints and changing leadership have long stalled those plans.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
The Sentinel missile is also larger than the Minuteman, creating space constraints within the older silos.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
Five years on, that constraint defines the company.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
But economic downturns, budget constraints and changing leadership have long stalled those plans.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint
Noun
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The plaintiffs asked the court Wednesday for either a stay or preliminary injunction that would restore the previous restraints.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
No damage to the technical facility has been reported yet, but UN nuclear officials have called for restraint and warned of a nuclear accident.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch denounced a sustained crackdown on dissent under Talon, citing arbitrary detentions, tighter restrictions on public demonstrations and mounting pressure on independent media outlets.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The United States eased some restrictions on sales of Russian crude imposed over its war against Ukraine, allowing countries to purchase oil that was already at sea until April 11.—
Brian Dakss,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The test Wednesday was designed find out if helium was leaking into the oxygen lines of the isolated manifold, thus raising pressure as observed.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Bin Sulayem stepped down from his post as DP World’s chairman and chief executive in February this year, following immense pressure regarding his relationship with Epstein.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And so, far from clearing up confusion, the provisions have sparked criticism from numerous TV writers and producers, including Academy members, who think the guidelines leave far too much room for AI to have a meaningful role on writing, acting and other creative disciplines in Emmy nominees.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
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Alvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid can be front-footed and organised, pressing high with discipline and intent.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Princeton team aimed to remove those limitations by integrating actuation directly into the material.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
-
But arbitration has several limitations.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Family photo For Strausman, like so many artists of all skill levels, creating became a compulsion of the spirit.—
Steve Hartman,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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The latest evidence of his compulsion is Twilight Override, a 30-song triple-album released last fall under his own name.—
Steve Appleford,
SPIN,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The political controversy Thursday coincided with a day of repression in Caracas.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The choice Iran faces If Iran’s leadership uses this moment only to consolidate power, intensify repression, and sell military endurance as victory, the ceasefire will merely delay the next internal and external crisis.—
Pegah Banihashemi,
Time,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Whereas Phoebe lacks inhibitions, Valerie is plagued by them, and the contrasting sitcom formats of Friends (multi-cam) and The Comeback (mockumentary) call for totally different performance styles.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
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Each spring, otherwise reasonable home cooks lose all inhibitions at the first sight of ramps at the farmers market.—
Kelly Vaughan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraint. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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