1
as in compelled
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 controlled
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
as in restrained
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 constrained
Christian MacEdonia, The Conversation, 3 Jan. 2025
Even constrained by the low initial altitude, the toss method helps keep Ukrainian jets outside the range of Russia’s most dangerous surface-to-air missile batteries.
—David Axe, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
However, adults often stop asking as much, constrained by fear of judgment, rigid workplace expectations, or prioritization of efficiency.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Dipping oil isn’t constrained to bread.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024
As the problem grows worse, leaders constrained by political considerations keep eking out piecemeal solutions.
—Justin Worland, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024
These systems not only help to reduce the cost for the client and law firm, but also make legal services more accessible to those who might be resource constrained.
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
This approach helps maximize the utility of a limited number of qubits, especially given that quantum hardware is currently constrained in scale.
—Yuval Boger, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
But the reality was that choices were constrained, communication was sparse and most employees opted for the same plan year after year.
—Tim Pratte, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Unlike other fields that have large, high-quality datasets available to train AI models, such as image analysis and language processing, the AI in drug development is constrained by small, low-quality datasets.
—Christian MacEdonia, The Conversation, 3 Jan. 2025
Even constrained by the low initial altitude, the toss method helps keep Ukrainian jets outside the range of Russia’s most dangerous surface-to-air missile batteries.
—David Axe, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
However, adults often stop asking as much, constrained by fear of judgment, rigid workplace expectations, or prioritization of efficiency.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Dipping oil isn’t constrained to bread.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024
As the problem grows worse, leaders constrained by political considerations keep eking out piecemeal solutions.
—Justin Worland, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024
These systems not only help to reduce the cost for the client and law firm, but also make legal services more accessible to those who might be resource constrained.
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
This approach helps maximize the utility of a limited number of qubits, especially given that quantum hardware is currently constrained in scale.
—Yuval Boger, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
But the reality was that choices were constrained, communication was sparse and most employees opted for the same plan year after year.
—Tim Pratte, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrained
Verb
-
The bipartisan vote for release marks a significant shift, as Republicans in the full House had previously blocked two Democratic resolutions that would have compelled the report's release.—
Gord Magill,
Newsweek,
22 Dec. 2024
-
Without China making the first move, Chinese firms will be compelled by genuine market forces rather than often heavy-handed and inefficient state mandates to realize Xi’s vision.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
These moves have prompted concern among segments of Trump's base supportive of a restrained international role, raising questions about the administration's direction ahead of a crucial 2026 midterm election cycle.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
As Rick, Goggins got to show longtime fans and incoming members of his fan club a rarer side of the actor: quiet, restrained, in deep amounts of unspoken pain.—
Josh Wigler,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you.—
Amy Fischer MS, RD,
Health,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Currently, the disposal of wind turbine waste is regulated by the localities and states hosting wind turbine projects.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The truck contained an Islamic State flag, according to authorities.—
Jackson Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Jan. 2025
-
For many years, political elites deluded themselves into thinking that the existential threat posed by radical Islamic jihad was somehow limited or contained.—
Newsweek,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Wimbledon is a tournament that brings those repressed emotions to the fore, win or lose.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Most recently, protests about Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who died after being taken into police custody for not wearing a headscarf, were brutally repressed.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
Willard obliged, giving the soon-to-be NBA draft pick the team’s final shot.—
Bennett Conlin,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Whether the head coach truly obliged Fudd’s request remains a point of contention.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This move is part of CEO Andy Jassy’s broader push for a more disciplined and cohesive workforce, writes Fortune‘s Jason Del Rey.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
3 July 2025
-
Expansion should be driven not just by ambition, but by timing, market traction and disciplined execution.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
But negative guidance from the CDC may affect insurance coverage because insurers are only obligated to cover vaccines that have been recommended by the agency.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
-
While Gastineau suggests the omission of his alleged handshake with Favre alters the analysis, a film company isn’t obligated to show the entirety of an event.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constrained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrained. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share