1
as in restraint
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
in civilized society people do not just say or do whatever they feel like—they exercise some constraint
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
put legal constraints on the board's activities
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another
parental constraint can take several different forms, including a denial of the approval that children usually seek from their parents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of constraint
The Trump Doctrine rejects these artificial constraints, and the Gulf is a prime example of the approach.
—
Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 4 June 2025
So far, support is not coming, and the U.N. is facing serious cash constraints as the Trump administration seeks to strip the the world agency of U.S. contributions.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Disregarding budgetary constraints, these filmmakers from countries such as Bangladesh, Lithuania, Norway and Colombia push the boundaries while keeping in mind the necessary connection between a film and its audience.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 3 June 2025
This reliance on foreign aid comes with constraints.
—Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 4 June 2025
So far, support is not coming, and the U.N. is facing serious cash constraints as the Trump administration seeks to strip the the world agency of U.S. contributions.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Disregarding budgetary constraints, these filmmakers from countries such as Bangladesh, Lithuania, Norway and Colombia push the boundaries while keeping in mind the necessary connection between a film and its audience.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 3 June 2025
This reliance on foreign aid comes with constraints.
—Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint
Noun
-
Still, progressive proponents of the ERA demanded that some legal loophole must exist to circumvent those restraints.—
Sarah Bedford,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
-
Intense hostility all around means that for now, neither Russia nor China is even willing to sit down to discuss nuclear restraints, in treaty form or otherwise.—
Matthew Bunn,
The Conversation,
6 June 2025
Noun
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The country's nuclear program was subject to extensive restrictions in exchange for sanctions relief as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached in 2015 under then-U.S. President Barack Obama, but the deal was abandoned by President Donald Trump in 2018.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
-
The change in minimum lot size could be coupled with parking requirements or other restrictions to manage the increase in density.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2025
Noun
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The budgetary pressures caused by $20.5 million in player compensation will cause schools to redirect all available cash.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2025
-
Another dependable starter would fortify their group and could lessen the pressure on Will Warren, and relying on Luis Gil to return to form after missing the entirety of the season so far with a lat injury.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
Noun
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As the oldest form of art, storytelling has existed since the very beginning of time across culture, and at the crux of many creative disciplines.—
Nia Shumake,
Essence,
12 June 2025
-
Finally, the two teachers are accused of assault, battery and negligent discipline, according to the lawsuit.—
Samara Gerstle,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2025
Noun
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But its biggest shortcoming is its range limitations, i.e., geofencing (see this map).—
Brooke Crothers,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
-
The study has limitations, however, including that it hasn't been peer-reviewed.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Adults who adopt this tactic are diagnosed with repetition compulsion.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
-
The compulsion to check emails late at night has diminished, and our company culture now fosters rest and recovery just as much as ambition and drive.—
Adam Stott,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This victory is an unexpected and powerful blow to the machinery of repression in the Islamic Republic.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
25 May 2025
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Both movements emerged from similar circumstances and serve as reactions to censorship, repression, and the ideological constraints of the Islamic Republic.—
Ali Farahmand,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Practices like meditation or simply taking a moment to pause before switching tasks, help strengthen networks connected to the prefrontal cortex—the region that is notably involved in planning, inhibition and sustained attention.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
27 May 2025
-
This allows hurricanes to form and sustain longer without inhibition or limiting.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraint. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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