1
as in forcing
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 regulating
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 constraining
The deal focused overwhelmingly on constraining Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for gradual sanctions relief.
—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
As a result, cloud architectures once considered modern are now the operational bottleneck, constraining performance and slowing model training.
—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
When temperatures plunge, demand for gas surges at the same time that wells, pipelines, and processing equipment can freeze, constraining supply and driving prices higher.
—
Julianna Larue,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2026
Dealing with this issue commonly involves constraining model outputs.
—
ArsTechnica,
8 June 2026
But Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon, expects that wage growth could come under pressure, constraining future consumer spending.
—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Taking the unprecedented step of constraining proxy advisor influence through exchange-level rules is a key part of that mission.
—
James H. Lee,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
The conflict looms large over the film’s Kosovar Albanian teens — as does institutionalized discrimination against them — but Basholli’s intentionally blinkered focus, through the eyes of her 13-year-old protagonist, proves constraining and liberating all at once.
—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
13 May 2026
That audience members, by virtue of access to a camera, keyboard, and the Internet, can capture, compile, edit, frame, and package an event as news without any regard to journalistic ethics is liberating and constraining at the same time.
—
Shepherd Mpofu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
As a result, cloud architectures once considered modern are now the operational bottleneck, constraining performance and slowing model training.
—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
When temperatures plunge, demand for gas surges at the same time that wells, pipelines, and processing equipment can freeze, constraining supply and driving prices higher.
—
Julianna Larue,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2026
Dealing with this issue commonly involves constraining model outputs.
—
ArsTechnica,
8 June 2026
But Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon, expects that wage growth could come under pressure, constraining future consumer spending.
—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Taking the unprecedented step of constraining proxy advisor influence through exchange-level rules is a key part of that mission.
—
James H. Lee,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
The conflict looms large over the film’s Kosovar Albanian teens — as does institutionalized discrimination against them — but Basholli’s intentionally blinkered focus, through the eyes of her 13-year-old protagonist, proves constraining and liberating all at once.
—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
13 May 2026
That audience members, by virtue of access to a camera, keyboard, and the Internet, can capture, compile, edit, frame, and package an event as news without any regard to journalistic ethics is liberating and constraining at the same time.
—
Shepherd Mpofu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraining
Verb
-
Liv Morgan controversially interrupted Iyo Sky's coronation, attacking her and forcing a tap-out.
-
California previously faced tens of billions of dollars in budget deficits, forcing painful cuts such as a rollback last year on a promise to provide free healthcare to low-income immigrants without legal status.
Verb
-
The progress is a huge step toward regulating tech companies.
-
Acclimatisation involves repeatedly exercising in hot conditions so the body begins sweating earlier and becomes better at regulating its core temperature.
Verb
-
Travis Reed, who was a fire captain with the now-defunct Briar Volunteer Fire Department, admitted to coercing a minor into producing child pornography in September, according to a summary of facts in the case.
-
The Justice Against Weaponized Bureaucratic Overreach to Networked Expression Act would prohibit federal agencies and employees from coercing or trying to coerce broadcasters and providers of online services or AI services into changing content.
Verb
-
The Argentine legend unlocked the Cape Verde defense in the 29th minute, controlling a long diagonal pass with one touch in the box and promptly flicking it over the head of a charging Vozinha.
-
Intelligent power switches can monitor electrical flow while controlling loads more efficiently.
Verb
-
The surge in chip investment and demand has reignited economic growth and inflation, compelling the Bank of Korea (BOK) to consider aggressive rate hikes.
-
Selaocoe extends that feeling after the song ends by once again compelling the audience to join him in song.
Verb
-
Opposition parties and human rights organizations have accused Erdogan of undermining democracy and curbing freedom of expression.
-
These Forme shorts activate the glutes and abs through biofeedback while curbing joint stress.
Verb
-
The unions argue that carrying out permanent layoffs during a funding lapse violates the Antideficiency Act, which bars agencies from obligating funds without congressional authorization, and exceeds executive authority under the Administrative Procedure Act.
-
This document, signed by a sponsor, is a legally enforceable contract obligating the sponsor to support the immigrant and prevent them from relying on public aid.
Verb
-
Financial regulation is struggling to keep pace with the rapid development of artificial intelligence, according to European policymakers, who are grappling with how to support adoption while containing risks to market integrity and stability.
-
In 2022, a large cluster of cases in Florida was attributed to a Caesar salad kit containing bagged romaine lettuce.
Cite this Entry
“Constraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraining. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
