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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 constraint
But none of these innovations used digital technology to increase velocity, because of power constraints.
—
Chloe Veltman, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
And while a combination of Tagovailoa’s poor play in 2025 as well as the Dolphins’ cap constraints prevent the franchise from dealing the former Alabama standout to replace him with Willis, the newfound Packers connection that currently runs through the organization could be a potential lure.
—Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
The goal was to bypass political debate and constitutional constraints by anchoring Castro’s repressive agenda in the authority of Washington's security apparatus.
—Evandro Cruz Silva, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
Due to budget constraints, California rolled back health care coverage for undocumented immigrants and reduced funding for other initiatives.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Chloe Veltman, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
And while a combination of Tagovailoa’s poor play in 2025 as well as the Dolphins’ cap constraints prevent the franchise from dealing the former Alabama standout to replace him with Willis, the newfound Packers connection that currently runs through the organization could be a potential lure.
—Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
The goal was to bypass political debate and constitutional constraints by anchoring Castro’s repressive agenda in the authority of Washington's security apparatus.
—Evandro Cruz Silva, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
Due to budget constraints, California rolled back health care coverage for undocumented immigrants and reduced funding for other initiatives.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint
Noun
-
Maryland’s budget process is designed to promote transparency and fiscal restraint.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The verdict signals that prolonged prone restraint during mental health crises is dangerous, potentially changing how juvenile detention centers handle distressed teens.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The company also points out that pigeons can operate in areas where drones face airspace restrictions.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The golden mussel is a serious threat, and officials say most boat owners seem to understand that and accept the new restrictions.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To transmit more power, there are two ways – either a larger hose (thicker cables and higher current) or higher pressure (higher voltage).—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Around the same time, Southwest’s management came under pressure following an activist takeover by Elliott Investment Management.—
Dallas Morning News,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As the discipline grew in popularity, Warren’s students began to take home trophies from tournaments across the country and internationally.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The Winter Olympics are in full swing in Italy, and athletes from 93 countries are competing in 16 disciplines across eight sports.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The study, which was published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, had several limitations, the researchers acknowledged.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Experts say another common and often overlooked limitation of anticoagulants is that even with the newer generation of the drugs, doctors need to take care to prescribe the appropriate drug and dose for a patient.—
David Cox,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Within a week, the compulsions disappeared.—
J. Aaron Sanders,
STAT,
4 Feb. 2026
-
James, not unlike his alcoholic father, is at the mercy of his compulsions.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The director frames the film as an immersion into the mind of one such figure — shaped by social discontent, inequality and state repression — who triggers revolt to avenge the death of his dog.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Research on Arab diaspora activism documents shows how governments deter dissent through transnational repression.—
Michael Paarlberg,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lepley studies how muscles of the upper leg shut down after a knee injury — a process called muscle inhibition.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In the brain scans of other extreme athletes and adrenaline junkies, Amen said there’s often lower baseline activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in fear inhibition, impulse control and risk evaluation.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraint. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
