1
as in restrictions
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
put legal constraints on the board's activities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pressures
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
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Recent Examples of constraints
Managers are busy, organizations have budget constraints, and without your voice, the default is maintaining the status quo—which rarely benefits you.
—
Kwame Christian Esq, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and the National University of Singapore now report a method that changes those constraints.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
The constraints on strongly interacting dark matter, as well as the constraints on electromagnetically interacting dark matter (either charged, magnetically, or with photons) are profound and incredibly stringent.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
However, late last week the city received notice that the organization was pulling their offer, citing capacity constraints.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Massive open online courses (MOOCs) extend education to broad audiences beyond geographic and, in many cases, financial constraints.
—Time Staff, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
In May 2025, Newsom slashed the state’s first-year commitment to the newsroom-subsidy program from $30 million to $10 million, citing budget constraints.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
So, the binding constraints are not physical.
—Chris Bradley, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
Critics, however, question whether any substantial shipbuilding increase is feasible given budgetary constraints.
—Micah McCartney, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Kwame Christian Esq, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and the National University of Singapore now report a method that changes those constraints.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
The constraints on strongly interacting dark matter, as well as the constraints on electromagnetically interacting dark matter (either charged, magnetically, or with photons) are profound and incredibly stringent.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
However, late last week the city received notice that the organization was pulling their offer, citing capacity constraints.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Massive open online courses (MOOCs) extend education to broad audiences beyond geographic and, in many cases, financial constraints.
—Time Staff, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
In May 2025, Newsom slashed the state’s first-year commitment to the newsroom-subsidy program from $30 million to $10 million, citing budget constraints.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
So, the binding constraints are not physical.
—Chris Bradley, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
Critics, however, question whether any substantial shipbuilding increase is feasible given budgetary constraints.
—Micah McCartney, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraints
Noun
-
Quayle said that partially because of new restrictions on Newark flying, United will have aircraft available.—
Ted Reed,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Citing recent Supreme Court precedent, the panel said federal courts lack authority to impose such broad restrictions on executive branch operations.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Takaichi’s popularity outpaces support for her party amid persistent economic pressures.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Policymakers emphasized the need to balance easing inflation pressures against still-solid economic growth and a stabilizing labor market.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Amazon also pointed to manufacturing disruptions, the failure and grounding of new launch vehicles and limitations on spaceport capacity.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
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An existential moment for Iran’s regime The longer and more sustained any bombing campaign, the greater its limitations would be exposed.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
These compulsions come from the same place as the impulse to punish Renee Nicole Good for protesting, for not bending to patriarchal authority.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
16 Jan. 2026
-
These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constraints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraints. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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