1
as in compels
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 regulates
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 constrains
Gas prices are ticking higher as the Iran war constrains global oil supply.
—
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
This vigilance becomes automatic, a psychological mask that protects but also constrains.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
No equivalent mechanism constrains the Federal Reserve.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
In this domain, AI agents have the potential to alleviate an increasingly acute shortage of engineering talent that constrains product development, customization, and innovation.
—Paul Eremenko, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Modern economies run on energy, yet the United States increasingly constrains supply through permitting delays.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 25 Dec. 2025
Its outcome could define how far immigration officers may go in workplaces across the country, shaping protections for millions of Americans employed in industries with large immigrant labor forces and testing whether the Fourth Amendment meaningfully constrains interior enforcement.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Viral outrage, administrative investigations and threats to cut state or federal funding to schools can all contribute to an intensifying climate of fear of retribution that constrains educators’ ability to teach freely.
—Laura Gail Miller, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025
Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2025
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
This vigilance becomes automatic, a psychological mask that protects but also constrains.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
No equivalent mechanism constrains the Federal Reserve.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
In this domain, AI agents have the potential to alleviate an increasingly acute shortage of engineering talent that constrains product development, customization, and innovation.
—Paul Eremenko, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Modern economies run on energy, yet the United States increasingly constrains supply through permitting delays.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 25 Dec. 2025
Its outcome could define how far immigration officers may go in workplaces across the country, shaping protections for millions of Americans employed in industries with large immigrant labor forces and testing whether the Fourth Amendment meaningfully constrains interior enforcement.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Viral outrage, administrative investigations and threats to cut state or federal funding to schools can all contribute to an intensifying climate of fear of retribution that constrains educators’ ability to teach freely.
—Laura Gail Miller, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025
Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrains
Verb
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There is a growing perception that some schools are frequently tampering and that knowledge compels other schools to tamper as well to avoid being placed at a competitive disadvantage.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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Logic compels me to go with One Battle After Another, as editor Andy Jurgensen ensures his film’s nearly three-hour runtime flies by.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, B6 regulates hormones and neurotransmitter production, which influence the brain signals that can trigger nausea.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
15 Mar. 2026
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There’s a lot of science behind this practice, but to put it simply, baking in a water bath regulates and moderates the temperature of the baked good, encouraging an even bake.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But if Taylor forces Miranda to choose between her and Shinia, well, Shinia has been a better friend to Miranda than Taylor ever was.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
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As the threat of strikes by Iran forces oil tankers destined for Asia to idle in the Persian Gulf, some top Republicans have declared an economic victory against a rival super power.—
Evan Halper,
Washington Post,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The base contains batteries as the power source and a cooling system, while the top part is used to blast out rays.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Each box contains five pancakes (individually layered with parchment paper for easy separation) that fit in a medium-sized pan.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However, the rotation of this filament clearly dominates how the galaxies within it spin, perhaps by funneling hydrogen gas along the dark-matter filament and onto the galaxies in a way that coerces their spin while providing further fuel for star formation.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
4 Dec. 2025
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Haunted by the suspicious death of his ailing mother, Ali, a university professor, coerces his enigmatic gardener to execute a cold-blooded act of vengeance.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Communist Party tightly controls political activity, arguing that centralized leadership allows the country to pursue longterm development goals without disruptions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Following Préval’s sudden death, the platform and its other leaders have been embroiled in a legal battle over who controls the movement and its name.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But no character in any Broadway musical of recent vintage is designed to steal scenes like Aunt Debra, and Emily Koch obliges with a bold, brassy portrayal that proves a key catalyst for the engaging spirit of this marvelous production.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
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Villarreal midfielder Dani Parejo points to the space in frame three, and Rafa Marin obliges, firing the ball through to Santi Comesana and taking six Juventus players out of the game.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At certain points in the novel, that distance calcifies and restrains his writing.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
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And most of the officials agreed that the Fed’s key rate is close to a level that neither stimulates nor restrains the economy.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constrains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrains. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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