1
as in to compel
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
constrained by conscience to tell only the truth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to regulate
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
constrained his anger at the needless interruption
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of constrain
The language and specificity of bans that constrain which children get to play sports and where vary, but increasing numbers of them reach down to constrain children as young as kindergarten.
—
Dr. Jen Harvey, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
Subjecting the chief executive to criminal liability for participating in policy decisions that might indirectly affect personal finances could constrain the ability to govern.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and the Trump administration are eager to ramp up judicial confirmations, but their efforts have been constrained by the limited number of current vacancies.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025
Undermining green energy growth removes one of gas’s most important allies—and, paradoxically, could constrain its future.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Dr. Jen Harvey, CNN Money, 19 July 2025
Subjecting the chief executive to criminal liability for participating in policy decisions that might indirectly affect personal finances could constrain the ability to govern.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and the Trump administration are eager to ramp up judicial confirmations, but their efforts have been constrained by the limited number of current vacancies.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025
Undermining green energy growth removes one of gas’s most important allies—and, paradoxically, could constrain its future.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrain
Verb
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This fosters a competitive market where vendors are compelled to innovate on value, not by locking customers into their ecosystem.—
Rajat Bhargava,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Flynn plays a man compelled to clean up the lawless cattle town of Dodge City.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
18 July 2025
Verb
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These entities have proliferated ever since the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United case, which effectively struck down longtime campaign finance regulations that sought to limit and regulate spending on political campaigns.—
M.L. Elrick,
Freep.com,
21 July 2025
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Help available for crashing out, including interventions such as therapy, as well as learning how to regulate emotions better and practicing self-care during times of significant stress.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
20 July 2025
Verb
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The attention influencers and celebrities generate fuels this model, but rest assured, checks and balances coerce cooperation.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
28 July 2025
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If Messi and teammate Jordi Alba skip the event and avoid immediate sanctions, as early reporting from ESPN suggests, what is to coerce Kylian Mbappe 10 years or Lamine Yamal 20 years from now in the twilight of their careers?—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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The fruit contains a high water content and has many antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
25 July 2025
-
The initial headline in the story contained incorrect information .—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
25 July 2025
Verb
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So far nothing is forcing the city to even help arrest immigrants, even if Immigration and Customs Enforcement asks. Ohio State Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) has introduced House Bill 26, which directs state and local authorities to assist ICE.—
Sharon Coolidge,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
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In 2022, then-Land Commissioner George P. Bush forced Paxton into a runoff in his bid for a third term for attorney general.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Verb
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The home country of this dark and enduring masterpiece from 1985 is the eerily-retrograde Republic of Gilead, in which women who once held jobs and led independent lives are now strictly controlled and monitored, valued only for their ovaries and their obedience.—
Dan Fesperman
July 22,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
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Like her biblical namesake, Ruth is loyal and steadfast to her friend, while Maria is independent and creative, often controlling the narrative of their relationship and even determining their future trajectories: Maria is an extrovert, so Ruth must be an introvert.—
Bekah Waalkes,
The Atlantic,
22 July 2025
Verb
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However, a driver is not legally obligated to submit to a field sobriety test, pre-arrest test or cheek swab at a DUI checkpoint, according to the Law Offices of Grech and Parker in Riverside. Field sobriety tests are subjective and may not accurately measure sobriety, according to Bee archives.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
25 July 2025
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Serving as the unofficial GM of the team founded by Marc D’Amelio, Boatright, 32, told the FS2 announcers he was obligated to play through his twisted ankle and take the lead.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Video posted to social media by a passenger showed law enforcement escorting a man off the plane with his hands restrained behind his back.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
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Farrell was then restrained by crew members and escorted off stage.—
Michaela Zee,
Variety,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrain. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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