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
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 constrain
The administration is ramping up pressure on immigration authorities to accelerate deportations—efforts that are currently constrained by limited resources and detention space.
—
Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Other economic crises in the recent past were caused by outside events, so CEOs weren’t constrained from speaking honestly to the dangers and their companies’ response.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
State captors, of course, do not constrain their manipulations to banks.
—Elizabeth David-Barrett, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2025
Kitamura’s actor has been constrained by both her gender and her race.
—Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Other economic crises in the recent past were caused by outside events, so CEOs weren’t constrained from speaking honestly to the dangers and their companies’ response.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
State captors, of course, do not constrain their manipulations to banks.
—Elizabeth David-Barrett, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2025
Kitamura’s actor has been constrained by both her gender and her race.
—Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrain
Verb
-
Cabinet members and other White House officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, claimed Monday morning that the ruling had actually been in the administration's favor and did not compel them to bring back Abrego Garcia.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
-
In response to the AFT’s request for a temporary restraining order to compel the department to resume IDR application processing, the Department of Education filed papers in court last week indicating that processing for ICR, IBR, and PAYE applications would be resuming in the coming weeks.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
College leaders don’t want to recognize the athletes as employees, but that comes at a cost: NCAA attempts to regulate the market in arguably logical ways swiftly face antitrust lawsuits.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Through its Kigali Amendment, the treaty now also targets powerful climate-warming gases. CITES continues to regulate international wildlife trade, curbing the exploitation of endangered species and protecting biodiversity across the planet.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The administration is threatening to withhold federal money from universities as a way to coerce many of them to comply with administration policies in ways that implicate free speech and in some instances violate legal processes for the withholding of federal support.—
Daniel Hall,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Its alliances were coerced, its innovations lagged behind, and its industrial system collapsed under its own contradictions.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Fires were contained, and no casualties were reported.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Five years after the pandemic forced children into remote instruction, two-thirds of U.S. fourth graders still cannot read at grade level.—
K. Dara Hill,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Such environments can force the plane downward, disrupt its ability to climb, or reduce lift on the wings, according to aviation experts.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Boone was asked if Chisholm needs to find a better way to control his emotions.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Finding new ways to control blood sugar was the perfect test case.—
Alice Park,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
We are obligated not only to seek justice for ourselves, but also to protect the rights and freedoms afforded to all people.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
-
One caution: a pre-listing inspection obligates the seller to disclose or repair deficiencies.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Rosemary restrained herself from scratching at her wig.—
Susannah Cahalan,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Education Trump says Education Department will no longer oversee student loans, 'special needs' Over 100,000 U.S. public school students were secluded or restrained during the 2017-2018 school year, according to federal data.—
Dylan Peers McCoy,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrain. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share