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
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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
Progress in drug discovery and genetic research has been constrained by trial-and-error methods that are extremely cost-intensive.
—
Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
The National Business Daily, a Chinese state-run newspaper, said the listing would provide a necessary capital boost for CATL’s international expansion as it has been constrained by limited foreign currency reserves and rising geopolitical risks.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
Although cargo volumes along this route have risen, they have been constrained by limited infrastructure and bottlenecks and still constitute just three to five percent of total Eurasian trade.
—Zaur Shiriyev, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025
The bill further constrains future federal administrations' ability to expand or adjust exemption criteria or benefit levels.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
The National Business Daily, a Chinese state-run newspaper, said the listing would provide a necessary capital boost for CATL’s international expansion as it has been constrained by limited foreign currency reserves and rising geopolitical risks.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
Although cargo volumes along this route have risen, they have been constrained by limited infrastructure and bottlenecks and still constitute just three to five percent of total Eurasian trade.
—Zaur Shiriyev, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025
The bill further constrains future federal administrations' ability to expand or adjust exemption criteria or benefit levels.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrain
Verb
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In a conversation with Harvard Business School, Sam Altman observes that the rise of AI will compel us to rethink jobs and society.—
Arafat Kabir,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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So when California sets new emission standards – and other states follow – the auto industry is compelled to adopt them.—
Francine Kiefer,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Despite the encroachment of people in their natural habitats, alligators remain an important predator regulating ecosystem populations in the nation’s wetlands.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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That ruling was compromised somewhat by a later decision that allowed a farmer’s consumption of his own wheat to be regulated, and a lamentable 6-3 decision allowing federal regulation of marijuana possession.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Defense attorneys for the juvenile defendants, Matthew Niemiec and Mark Grier, said the suspects were coerced into the alleged crime.—
Audrey Conklin,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2025
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Scammers often ask for money or coerce their victims into performing harmful acts.—
Nicole Valdes,
CBS News,
31 May 2025
Verb
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The dust from Worlds Collide will have to settle quickly as the attention will turn to Money in the Bank as six men and six women, respectively, will look to grab the briefcase which contains a contract for a world title shot anytime, anywhere.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2025
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Yet even this minor film contains major pleasures, including Mia Threapleton’s whipcrack deadpan as Zsa-Zsa’s estranged daughter, a daffy Michael Cera as a Norwegian entomologist, and gorgeous evocation of a fictitious yet allusive Middle East.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Despite Anna’s meticulous preparations, her intent to force confessions from the passengers and deliver them directly to authorities is immediately derailed when just hours into the trip one of her guests is murdered.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2025
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Whether that’s a trial site, a community center or the patient’s workplace, this model removes friction from both ends: Participants aren’t forced to travel, and sponsors don’t have to wait for overwhelmed sites to come online.—
Sonali Bloom,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Verb
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Lau’s discipline is the physical extension of a whole philosophy of muscle development, harnessing of qi (energy) to help people know and control their body.—
Jia H. Jung,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
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The missing money controlled by Velazquez was supposed to go toward undercover narcotics operations.—
Charles Rabin,
Miami Herald,
4 June 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,
5 June 2025
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The county has also received a $7 million federal grant, which must be obligated in 2026, Theodore said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
Verb
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The motion requests the judge to restrain all members of Trump’s administration from enforcing the order.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
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Hopefully, Samsung can restrain the urge to overload the Galaxy S26 with redundant AI features, but don't get your hopes up.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrain. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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