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
Global demand is facing constraints because supply from the Persian Gulf has been effectively cut off by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of the Hormuz.
—
Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 13 May 2026
The specific constraints Goldman identifies are unglamorous by Silicon Valley standards — but increasingly hard to dismiss.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Conducted as the war in Iran was breaking out and logistical constraints began to arise from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the survey revealed that 61 percent of executives believe the impacts of heightened duties are still the most difficult factor to manage in today’s business climate.
—Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
Operational constraints around the stadium—safety rules, logistics workarounds, matchday procedures—lived almost entirely in the heads of a few senior staff.
—Shivaas Gulati, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
Although quite a few movies have taken place against the whirl of the Cannes Film Festival, only a handful have been shot within sanctioned festival spaces — often because of artistic, logistical and financial constraints.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
That's because of supply constraints that have been created by state policies.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 May 2026
The constraints are less dramatic.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
These programs weren’t able to continue long term due to funding constraints, but new school resource funding has allowed Crowley ISD to invest in these four campuses.
—Lina Ruiz
may 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 May 2026
Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 13 May 2026
The specific constraints Goldman identifies are unglamorous by Silicon Valley standards — but increasingly hard to dismiss.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Conducted as the war in Iran was breaking out and logistical constraints began to arise from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the survey revealed that 61 percent of executives believe the impacts of heightened duties are still the most difficult factor to manage in today’s business climate.
—Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
Operational constraints around the stadium—safety rules, logistics workarounds, matchday procedures—lived almost entirely in the heads of a few senior staff.
—Shivaas Gulati, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
Although quite a few movies have taken place against the whirl of the Cannes Film Festival, only a handful have been shot within sanctioned festival spaces — often because of artistic, logistical and financial constraints.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
That's because of supply constraints that have been created by state policies.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 May 2026
The constraints are less dramatic.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
These programs weren’t able to continue long term due to funding constraints, but new school resource funding has allowed Crowley ISD to invest in these four campuses.
—Lina Ruiz
may 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraints
Noun
-
Business travelers will find this especially frustrating, as even VPNs usually can’t break through these restrictions in the capital.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
An Israeli source told CNN that the idea of a sunset clause has been floated in negotiations – a provision that would allow some restrictions to expire after a set number of years.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
In 2020, as the fear of COVID-19 began to escalate and financial pressures mounted, Stewart, her husband and their three children packed their belongings into a small trailer attached to their 2015 Kia Optima and left for Tennessee in search of something better.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
Many voters turned to Trump to alleviate their economic pressures.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
While other states have debated — and, in Maryland’s case, passed — limitations on price surveillance, Colorado’s bill would be the strongest in the country, said Lee Hepner, a senior legal counsel for the American Economic Liberties Project.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
7 May 2026
-
Saar’s leather pieces, featured prominently throughout the show, are another example of how in her hands, everyday objects extend beyond any limitations, feeling more like collage than anything else.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
As the investigation twists and intensifies, Izzy is forced to confront her own compulsions and the personal cost of her pursuit of justice.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Letters admitting compulsions and guilt Judge Lopez must also weigh whether letters Cox wrote to a judge in 1993 and 1995 will be admissible.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constraints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraints. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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