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
In simple terms, every world map model reflects the constraint that in converting a spherical Earth to a flat chart, there would be trade-offs.
—
Bright Simons, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2025
So, what happens when some of the core constraints behind zero-sum thinking disappear?
—Ravi Kumar, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent advances aim to tackle those constraints.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2025
But those very constraints are why Europe is producing some of the most resilient billion-dollar businesses today.
—Vidya Peters, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Bright Simons, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2025
So, what happens when some of the core constraints behind zero-sum thinking disappear?
—Ravi Kumar, Time, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent advances aim to tackle those constraints.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Aug. 2025
But those very constraints are why Europe is producing some of the most resilient billion-dollar businesses today.
—Vidya Peters, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint
Noun
-
Fanning — a young performer long admired for her precision and emotional intelligence on screen — brings a quiet ache and layered restraint to the role.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Each kaiseki dish reflects a deep understanding of these methods, applied with restraint and purpose.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Medication access, restrictions If signed into law by Abbott, Texas would join a handful of other states that allow the over-the-counter sale of ivermectin.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Regional restrictions may apply.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Green Bay’s pass rushers weren’t good enough, so Hafley resorted to exotic pressures featuring the likes of linebacker Edgerrin Cooper or safety Xavier McKinney as one of four pass rushers while defensive linemen dropped into coverage.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Riding a three-game sweep into the second leg of a three-city trip, the Chicago Cubs positioned themselves to put pressure on the Milwaukee Brewers heading into the final four weeks of the regular season.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Battery dismantling requires skills that cross multiple disciplines.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Hufnagel, a 60-year-old who graduated from Barry University’s School of Law in 2005 and joined the Bar later that year, had an otherwise clean 10-year discipline history.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One of Web3’s core limitations is scalability and usability, often weighed down by low trust and complex interfaces.—
Chrissa McFarlane,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
These batteries offer higher energy capacity and do not require cobalt, a material with supply chain limitations.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Doubtless this is a version of Freud’s repetition compulsion, the neurotic’s desperate drive to repeat his trauma rather than remember it.—
Michael Robbins,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Season three of 100 Foot Wave, which this year has been nominated for four Emmys — one for outstanding cinematography and another for outstanding documentary series — centers on big-wave pioneer Garrett McNamara and his decades-long compulsion to surf the 100-foot wave.—
Trey Williams,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Alongside such military repression of the uprising, Israel also introduced a range of new bureaucratic methods aimed at controlling how Palestinians could move around the West Bank and Gaza Strip.—
Literary Hub
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Maybe these trends can coexist, and China can continue rising globally while deepening its domestic repression.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Formal networking or making casual conversation with colleagues can sometimes feel awkward or forced, and many have welcomed the slight reduction to inhibitions that responsible use of alcohol affords.—
Melissa A. Wheeler,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Lockwood’s lack of inhibition can lead to trouble.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraint. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share