1
as in forcing
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 regulating
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 constraining
When temperatures plunge, demand for gas surges at the same time that wells, pipelines, and processing equipment can freeze, constraining supply and driving prices higher.
—
Julianna Larue, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026
Dealing with this issue commonly involves constraining model outputs.
—ArsTechnica, 8 June 2026
But Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon, expects that wage growth could come under pressure, constraining future consumer spending.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Taking the unprecedented step of constraining proxy advisor influence through exchange-level rules is a key part of that mission.
—James H. Lee, Fortune, 28 May 2026
In effect, Ukraine is replicating siege conditions across the wider battlefield, systematically constraining the flow of supplies to Russian forces rather than isolating a single city.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
The conflict looms large over the film’s Kosovar Albanian teens — as does institutionalized discrimination against them — but Basholli’s intentionally blinkered focus, through the eyes of her 13-year-old protagonist, proves constraining and liberating all at once.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 May 2026
That audience members, by virtue of access to a camera, keyboard, and the Internet, can capture, compile, edit, frame, and package an event as news without any regard to journalistic ethics is liberating and constraining at the same time.
—Shepherd Mpofu, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
The Iran war has led to a virtual stoppage in ships traversing the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, constraining the flow of global energy supplies.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Julianna Larue, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026
Dealing with this issue commonly involves constraining model outputs.
—ArsTechnica, 8 June 2026
But Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon, expects that wage growth could come under pressure, constraining future consumer spending.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Taking the unprecedented step of constraining proxy advisor influence through exchange-level rules is a key part of that mission.
—James H. Lee, Fortune, 28 May 2026
In effect, Ukraine is replicating siege conditions across the wider battlefield, systematically constraining the flow of supplies to Russian forces rather than isolating a single city.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
The conflict looms large over the film’s Kosovar Albanian teens — as does institutionalized discrimination against them — but Basholli’s intentionally blinkered focus, through the eyes of her 13-year-old protagonist, proves constraining and liberating all at once.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 May 2026
That audience members, by virtue of access to a camera, keyboard, and the Internet, can capture, compile, edit, frame, and package an event as news without any regard to journalistic ethics is liberating and constraining at the same time.
—Shepherd Mpofu, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
The Iran war has led to a virtual stoppage in ships traversing the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, constraining the flow of global energy supplies.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraining
Verb
-
Clark finished with 21 points, forcing Toronto to respect her scoring ability and preventing defenders from keying solely on her passing.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
-
The Saudis should be thrilled with the draw, as favored Uruguay, La Celeste, dominated large patches of the match with 67 percent overall possession, a 10-3 margin in shots, 14-4 in corner kicks, more than double the accurate passes and forcing nine saves of the busy Saudi goalkeeper.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Anthropic employees have so far provided a $476,000 boost to Alex Bores, a New York assemblymember running for Congress who sponsored that state’s new law regulating AI.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
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Otherwise, Maryland risks regulating only the visible surface of healthcare AI while ignoring the far more consequential infrastructure underneath it.—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Travis Reed, who was a fire captain with the now-defunct Briar Volunteer Fire Department, admitted to coercing a minor into producing child pornography in September, according to a summary of facts in the case.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 June 2026
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The Justice Against Weaponized Bureaucratic Overreach to Networked Expression Act would prohibit federal agencies and employees from coercing or trying to coerce broadcasters and providers of online services or AI services into changing content.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Different wines are intended to be stored over different time periods—some are meant to be consumed within months of bottling, while others may spend decades in a cellar—and controlling oxygen exposure is critical to preserving flavor and aroma.—
Sam Macdonald,
Scientific American,
19 June 2026
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While scientists have been able to detect and study these emitters, controlling them has remained a major challenge.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Selaocoe extends that feeling after the song ends by once again compelling the audience to join him in song.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
22 May 2026
-
Her new perspective gazes at us directly, compelling us to meet her eye.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 May 2026
Verb
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The Fed has been trying to balance its job of curbing inflation while supporting employment growth.—
Damian J. Troise,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
The league has taken steps to address tanking, but curbing that problem alone won’t stop injury issues that are just as much a part of the growing apathy that many fans feel towards the regular season.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
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The unions argue that carrying out permanent layoffs during a funding lapse violates the Antideficiency Act, which bars agencies from obligating funds without congressional authorization, and exceeds executive authority under the Administrative Procedure Act.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
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This document, signed by a sponsor, is a legally enforceable contract obligating the sponsor to support the immigrant and prevent them from relying on public aid.—
Daniel Shoer Roth,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Now Yan and his colleagues have developed an acoustic synapse containing multiple phi-bits.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
18 June 2026
-
Evidence Of Ancient Solstice Ceremonies The excavations at Bulford revealed 48 pits containing pottery, animal bone, worked flints and charcoal.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraining. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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