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
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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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This process helps us self-audit, regulate our practices and identify areas for improvement.—
Geoff Scott,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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Carr has pushed companies regulated by the FCC to do the same, resulting in Verizon and T-Mobile dropping DEI programs in order to secure approval for mergers that required the FCC's sign-off.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Carter argued his confession was coerced, and the witnesses, two immigrants without legal status, later said police and prosecutors had pressured them to falsely implicate Carter.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 May 2025
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The ensuing conflict between them takes an abrupt turn into a hotel-room two-hander as Anima fastens Abel to a bed and coerces him into confronting his feelings by playing his own music to him and dispensing shallow insights about how his songs’ upbeat melodies belie their cry-for-help content.—
Charles Bramesco,
IndieWire,
15 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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Choose products with humectants: When looking for products to maintain your hair's moisture, select those that contain humectants, which are substances that attract and hold water to hydrate the hair.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Some have succeeded in slashing sales and forcing policy changes.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Fans are forced to watch that terrifying accident all over again — knowing exactly what's about to happen.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
18 May 2025
Verb
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In 1950, the wall was reconstructed to control erosion and create artificial beaches.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
23 May 2025
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Cardinale and his team have long chased the Telegraph, but an earlier an earlier attempt to buy it through All3Media owner RedBird IMI, which is majority controlled out of the Middle East, was blocked by the Conservative Party.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
23 May 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 1 Jun. 2025.
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