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
Many of the weapons systems in question are constrained by production capacity.
—
Rebecca Schneid, Time, 12 May 2026
The fact that Starlink PNT is limited to communication with a single satellite at a time also constrains performance, whereas receiving multiple satellite measurement signals from many different angles could improve its accuracy.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Traditional medical research is constrained by limited sample sizes, geographical restrictions, and significant reporting barriers.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Because the park's infrastructure has not yet changed to match fluctuating visitation models, parking capacity and shuttle systems are still fixed—meaning that by late morning on high-demand days, mobility inside the valley may become increasingly constrained.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Rebecca Schneid, Time, 12 May 2026
The fact that Starlink PNT is limited to communication with a single satellite at a time also constrains performance, whereas receiving multiple satellite measurement signals from many different angles could improve its accuracy.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 11 May 2026
Traditional medical research is constrained by limited sample sizes, geographical restrictions, and significant reporting barriers.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Because the park's infrastructure has not yet changed to match fluctuating visitation models, parking capacity and shuttle systems are still fixed—meaning that by late morning on high-demand days, mobility inside the valley may become increasingly constrained.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrain
Verb
-
This being a stringent European new-music gathering, someone in the audience felt compelled to boo the intrusion of conventional harmony.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Campbell, siding with fellow Democrats Spika and Mariano, refused to represent DiZoglio in court to compel the Legislature to comply with the audit.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Earlier this year the company released a REST API that lets regulated financial platforms bolt blockchain wallet functionality onto their existing products.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
Indeed, sodium is one of the body’s key electrolytes – a group of minerals that help regulate fluid balance and other important functions.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Preeminent leaders don’t coerce.—
Gerald J. Leonard,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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The lawsuit also claims officers choked Day and slammed him against a wall, eventually coercing him into confessing to killing Irving and Garcia.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Hormones take the child’s body at puberty and conjure from it the adult form, directing the ovaries to mature their eggs or the testicles to produce sperm, each of these gametes containing the potential to create new life.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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Rare works by Joan Miró adorn the sixth-floor Presidential Suite, while the Royal Suite contains lithographs and modern artworks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Verb
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The economic loss could rise to as much as 100 trillion won if chip production disruptions force Samsung to scrap semiconductor wafers already in production.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
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The fire destroyed two structures — a cabin and an equipment shed — and forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees, who were rescued by a Santa Barbara County Fire Department helicopter.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The war in Myanmar has displaced millions, divided the country into military- and non-military-controlled areas, and gutted the economy and healthcare system.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
16 May 2026
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According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, PSP is caused by damage to nerve cells in areas of the brain that control thinking and body movements.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
An inspector can catch defects before closing while the builder is still obligated to correct them.—
Ryan Brennan
May 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
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Once a medication is deemed appropriate to be classified as a generic drug, neither the manufacturer nor the doctor who previously prescribed the medication are obligated to inform the patient of the cosmetic changes.—
Barbara Wolf,
STAT,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The Adam Lippes design replaced the cleaner line of the tuxedo with a wider skirt and a more formal portrait neckline, keeping the color restrained while giving the silhouette more volume.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
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Economists have pointed to the data-center buildout as a possible driver of demand for construction labor in 2026, even as homebuilding continues to be restrained by elevated interest rates.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrain. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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