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
Relevance
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
Private equity and venture funds, on the other hand, are often constrained by rigid timelines and fund requirements.
—
Robert Frank, CNBC, 19 May 2025
That’s led to constraining caps on arrivals and departures.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
Removing Traditional Shopping Constraints Even the most enthusiastic shopper has their limits: time, energy and mental capacity all constrain the shopping experience.
—Tim Bridges, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Venice is already a hub for contemporary art with its international biennale, but SMAC aims to do something that doesn’t exist in the city’s arts landscape: be a kunsthalle, a space that mounts regular temporary exhibitions but isn’t constrained by a specific curatorial focus or theme.
—Catherine Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Robert Frank, CNBC, 19 May 2025
That’s led to constraining caps on arrivals and departures.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
Removing Traditional Shopping Constraints Even the most enthusiastic shopper has their limits: time, energy and mental capacity all constrain the shopping experience.
—Tim Bridges, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Venice is already a hub for contemporary art with its international biennale, but SMAC aims to do something that doesn’t exist in the city’s arts landscape: be a kunsthalle, a space that mounts regular temporary exhibitions but isn’t constrained by a specific curatorial focus or theme.
—Catherine Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for constrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrain
Verb
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From the kickoff of their campaigns, candidates would be compelled to reach out to all voters and not just play to the base.—
John Avlon,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2025
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More news: Former MLB Outfielder, World Series Series Champion, Dies From Brain Injury Unfortunately, Hendriks was compelled to issue a warning Thursday to to fans who have threatened his and his wife's life on social media.—
Jon Paul Hoornstra,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Despite the encroachment of people in their natural habitats, alligators remain an important predator regulating ecosystem populations in the nation’s wetlands.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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That ruling was compromised somewhat by a later decision that allowed a farmer’s consumption of his own wheat to be regulated, and a lamentable 6-3 decision allowing federal regulation of marijuana possession.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
1 June 2025
Verb
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The alleged kidnappers shocked the victim with electric wires, held him upside down from the top of a staircase, cut his leg with a saw and threatened to kill his family in a bid to coerce their Italian hostage to unlock his Bitcoin account, prosecutors said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2025
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Swat is coerced into taking on the role or finally getting legal comeuppances for all of his misdeeds and ends up taking on solving the mystery of a series of disappearances plaguing Echo city.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
29 May 2025
Verb
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But decades of poor water management, which have dried up lakes, rivers, and wetlands that once helped contain these storms, have turned sand and dust storms into a pressing challenge for the region, with many consequences.—
Sanam Mahoozi,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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This post contains spoilers for The Rehearsal Season 2 finale.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
26 May 2025
Verb
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The prospect of a New York team with an identity forged from refusing to yield under pressure forcing an anxiety-inducing Game 7 at Madison Square Garden looms large.—
Bobby Krivitsky,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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My biggest soccer loves will forever be Club América and Liga MX, but Vela forced me to make some room in my heart for the black and gold.—
Fidel Martinez,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Lau’s discipline is the physical extension of a whole philosophy of muscle development, harnessing of qi (energy) to help people know and control their body.—
Jia H. Jung,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
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The missing money controlled by Velazquez was supposed to go toward undercover narcotics operations.—
Charles Rabin,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Last month, a Los Angeles judge ruled that Sony was no longer obligated to provide episodes to CBS, which has served for decades as the conduit, delivering batches of episodes to television stations around the country.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
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Are the writer’s managers, who’re also producers on the movie, obligated to disclose the bump and renegotiate their client’s pay?—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Violators could pay up to $200 in fines and up to $250 plus court costs for driving with children who aren't properly restrained.—
Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi,
Axios,
22 May 2025
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Yet, while our adversaries surge ahead, the Pentagon remains restrained by decision-making processes conceived in the 1960s and barely updated since the 1990s.—
Charles Beames,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrain. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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