constrain

verb

con·strain kən-ˈstrān How to pronounce constrain (audio)

constrained; constraining; constrains

transitive verb

: to force by imposed stricture, restriction, or limitation

Teenagers often feel constrained by rules.

an artist constrained by a client's requirements

: to restrict the motion of (a mechanical body) to a particular mode

: compress

also : to clasp tightly

: to secure by or as if by bonds : confine

constrained to a dungeon

broadly : limit

: to force or produce in an unnatural or strained manner

a constrained smile

: to hold back by or as if by force

" … constraining my mind not to wander from the task."

Charles Dickens

constrainedly

kən-ˈstrā-nəd-lē How to pronounce constrain (audio)

-ˈstrānd-lē

adverb

Example Sentences

constrained by conscience to tell only the truth constrained his anger at the needless interruption

Recent Examples on the Web What all of this means is that, the next time a climate-skeptical president takes office, advocates will have fewer tools to constrain their behavior than last time.

Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 11 May 2022 Russia normally supplies roughly 40% of Europe’s natural gas needs, but Putin seized on the opportunity to constrain deliveries during the fall and early winter.

David Blackmon, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2022 The plan won’t necessarily be to try to constrain the economy by withdrawing support so rapidly that Fed policy becomes a big drag on growth — the equivalent of slamming the brakes.

New York Times, 14 Dec. 2021 Local resistance, regulatory constraints and building costs continue to constrain supply.

Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2021 Very few laws in the US even relate to data brokers, let alone constrain their actions.

WIRED, 2 Sep. 2022 While there are plenty of valid reasons to constrain executive power and diminish the temptation of corruption, in advocating for the electoral system, the slaveholding South held significant sway.

Ellen Mcgirt, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2022 But, today, far too many people in America want to constrain public discourse to what is socially acceptable at that particular moment in time.

Garry Kasparov, CNN, 8 Nov. 2021 That’s the target all major economies must meet, scientists say, for the planet to constrain average global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.

Henry Fountain, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2022 See More

constrain

verb

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

compel
force
coerce
obligate
oblige
impel
pressure
drive
impress
intimidate
make
muscle
press
blackmail
threaten
bully
sandbag
dragoon
browbeat
blackjack
twist one's arm
drag
terrorize
bulldoze
shame
harass
hector
cow
menace
badger
hound
high-pressure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

allow
let
permit
induce
move
satisfy
convince
argue
talk (into)
persuade
win (over)
prevail (on or upon)

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

regulate
control
restrain
contain
curb
keep
stifle
measure
inhibit
suppress
govern
tame
rule
hold
check
bridle
stop
impede
repress
hinder
pull in
interrupt
strangle
obstruct
rein (in)
muffle
smother
squelch
swallow
hamper
block
hold back
handcuff
pocket
arrest
silence
mince
sink
muzzle
choke (back)
bottle (up)
gag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lose
liberate
loosen
express
loose
unleash
take out
vent
air

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of constrain are coerce, compel, force, and oblige. While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

Although the words coerce and constrain have much in common, coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

The meanings of compel and constrain largely overlap; however, compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

While the synonyms force and constrain are close in meaning, force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

In some situations, the words oblige and constrain are roughly equivalent. However, oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

单词	constrain
释义	constrain verb con·strain kən-ˈstrān constrained; constraining; constrains transitive verb 1 a : to force by imposed stricture, restriction, or limitation Teenagers often feel constrained by rules. an artist constrained by a client's requirements b : to restrict the motion of (a mechanical body) to a particular mode 2 : compress also : to clasp tightly 3 : to secure by or as if by bonds : confine constrained to a dungeon broadly : limit 4 : to force or produce in an unnatural or strained manner a constrained smile 5 : to hold back by or as if by force " … constraining my mind not to wander from the task." Charles Dickens constrainedly kən-ˈstrā-nəd-lē -ˈstrānd-lē adverb Synonyms blackjack coerce compel dragoon drive force impel impress make muscle obligate oblige press pressure sandbag See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences constrained by conscience to tell only the truth constrained his anger at the needless interruption Recent Examples on the Web What all of this means is that, the next time a climate-skeptical president takes office, advocates will have fewer tools to constrain their behavior than last time. Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 11 May 2022 Russia normally supplies roughly 40% of Europe’s natural gas needs, but Putin seized on the opportunity to constrain deliveries during the fall and early winter. David Blackmon, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2022 The plan won’t necessarily be to try to constrain the economy by withdrawing support so rapidly that Fed policy becomes a big drag on growth — the equivalent of slamming the brakes. New York Times, 14 Dec. 2021 Local resistance, regulatory constraints and building costs continue to constrain supply. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2021 Very few laws in the US even relate to data brokers, let alone constrain their actions. WIRED, 2 Sep. 2022 While there are plenty of valid reasons to constrain executive power and diminish the temptation of corruption, in advocating for the electoral system, the slaveholding South held significant sway. Ellen Mcgirt, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2022 But, today, far too many people in America want to constrain public discourse to what is socially acceptable at that particular moment in time. Garry Kasparov, CNN, 8 Nov. 2021 That’s the target all major economies must meet, scientists say, for the planet to constrain average global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. Henry Fountain, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English, from Anglo-French constraindre, from Latin constringere to constrict, constrain, from com- + stringere to draw tight — more at strain First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Kids Definition constrain verb con·strain kən-ˈstrān constrained; constraining 1 : compel sense 1, force He was constrained to retire because of ill health. 2 : to restrict or limit She felt the rules constrained her creativity. constrain verb 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 compel force coerce obligate oblige impel pressure drive impress intimidate make muscle press blackmail threaten bully sandbag dragoon browbeat blackjack twist one's arm drag terrorize bulldoze shame harass hector cow menace badger hound high-pressure Antonyms & Near Antonyms allow let permit induce move satisfy convince argue talk (into) persuade win (over) prevail (on or upon) See More 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 regulate control restrain contain curb keep stifle measure inhibit suppress govern tame rule hold check bridle stop impede repress hinder pull in interrupt strangle obstruct rein (in) muffle smother squelch swallow hamper block hold back handcuff pocket arrest silence mince sink muzzle choke (back) bottle (up) gag Antonyms & Near Antonyms lose liberate loosen express loose unleash take out vent air See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of constrain are coerce, compel, force, and oblige. While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice. constrained by conscience Although the words coerce and constrain have much in common, coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure. coerced into signing over the rights The meanings of compel and constrain largely overlap; however, compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force. compelled to admit my mistake While the synonyms force and constrain are close in meaning, force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress. forced to flee for their lives In some situations, the words oblige and constrain are roughly equivalent. However, oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty. felt obliged to go
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constrain

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

verb

verb

Synonym Chooser