constrain

verb

kən-ˈstrān How to pronounce constrain (audio)
Definition of constrainnext
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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word constrain different from other verbs like it?

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

When could coerce be used to replace constrain?

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

When would compel be a good substitute for constrain?

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

Where would force be a reasonable alternative to constrain?

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

When is oblige a more appropriate choice than constrain?

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

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 constrain Addressing those critical questions is a conundrum in Lake Tahoe, where on summer days evacuation routes are already constrained by people parking on roadsides. — Calmatters, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025 Housing providers lose rental income, potential residents remain without homes and the overall housing supply is artificially constrained, all of which undercuts affordability. — Miranda Darden-Willems, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025 The United States and its allies, meanwhile, have increasingly used financial sanctions as tools to constrain adversaries. — Monica Duffy Toft, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025 Two dessert dishes included a banana leaf flan drizzled in sesame caramel and a violet hibiscus meringue that sparked a tropical sensation yet casually constrained thanks to a touch of vanilla. — Andrew Watman, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for constrain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrain
  1. compel
  2. regulate
  3. coerce
  4. contain
  5. force
  6. control
  7. obligate
  8. restrain
Verb
  • Its methodologies compel leaders and their teams to rigorously examine their most fundamental beliefs, anticipate disruptive scenarios, and prepare adaptive responses.
    — Bryce Hoffman, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The parent just saw the First to the Finish trailer and was compelled to praise Holbrook for her vision, and reiterate their trust in her because not everyone in the sporting industry has your child's best interests at heart.
    — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of compel
Verb
  • The first step is to regulate your body, Akua K. Boateng, PhD, an individual and couples therapist and founder of Boateng Consulting, tells SELF.
    — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The Bloomberg News film includes interviews with parents involved in efforts to secure wins in the courts and the halls of power in Washington D.C. to regulate social media platforms.
    — Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • Read more Iraq The World's Selective Outrage—Alawite Massacres in Syria Deserve Our Attention | Opinion The Asayish, Kurdistan's official security organization, regularly targets Assyrians in the Nahla Valley, coercing them to sign fake concessions.
    — David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • These tariffs were originally intended to pressure Mexico to step up immigration enforcement at the U.S. border, and to coerce all three countries into doing more to limit illicit fentanyl trafficking into the United States.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of coerce
Verb
  • The following contains spoilers for the Reacher Season 3 finale, now streaming on Prime Video.
    — Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Since Wednesday, firefighters have been able to make progress and have started to contain the fires.
    — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of contain
Verb
  • But despite its soaring fortunes, the $4 billion company continues to resist having to pay detainees more than $1 a day for cleaning facilities where the government has forced them to live.
    — McKenzie Funk, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The issue, which involved test-takers being cut off early or forced to reboot during the exam, has sparked outrage and raised questions about the fairness of the College Board’s response.
    — Scott White, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of force
Verb
  • Emotions Are a Competitive Advantage in Finance Understanding that emotions influence financial behavior means that controlling your emotional state can become a strategic advantage.
    — Shane Enete, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of control
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
  • Users would have to interact with a store clerk before starting a transaction, employees would be obligated to report suspicious activity and warning signs would be required, among other things, Land’s memo stated.
    — Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of obligate
Verb
  • At Refuge of Grace, Groves said, discipline for breaking a rule included excessive workouts, restraining, standing against a wall for hours on end and bans on talking.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Despite the urgency of the measles crisis, the official response from medical groups has been typically restrained.
    — Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of restrain

Browse Nearby Words

constitutive
constrain
constrained
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Cite this Entry

“Constrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrain. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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