1
as in restraint
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others
in civilized society people do not just say or do whatever they feel like—they exercise some constraint
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
put legal constraints on the board's activities
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another
parental constraint can take several different forms, including a denial of the approval that children usually seek from their parents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of constraint
Both identify organizational friction — not model capability — as the primary constraint on near-term macro impact.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 May 2026
Unlike federal courts, where there are strict rules of procedure and judges have lifetime tenure, the Justice Department runs immigration courts, and the attorney general can fire the judges with fewer constraints.
—Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
Their creativity, in other words, was the product of generative constraints, and this way of working both mirrored and revealed the growing presence of protocols during the Cold War.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026
That level of experience behind the camera helped the series maintain consistency despite its unusual logistical constraints.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 May 2026
Unlike federal courts, where there are strict rules of procedure and judges have lifetime tenure, the Justice Department runs immigration courts, and the attorney general can fire the judges with fewer constraints.
—Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
Their creativity, in other words, was the product of generative constraints, and this way of working both mirrored and revealed the growing presence of protocols during the Cold War.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026
That level of experience behind the camera helped the series maintain consistency despite its unusual logistical constraints.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint
Noun
-
Both dishes were perfectly prepared al dente and sauced with restraint, unlike many Italian-American eateries.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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As the broader fashion landscape moves away from restraint and toward self-expression, wedding guest dressing is evolving alongside it.—
Lauren Fisher,
Footwear News,
28 May 2026
Noun
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These are the only tight restrictions though—the vibe of the property is very go-with-the-flow.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 May 2026
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Following those restrictions, Huawei accelerated efforts to develop domestic alternatives for critical technologies.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
25 May 2026
Noun
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But the way Vitinha performs in these fast, furious games — high pressure, high energy — is captivating.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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Under pressure, the government expanded access to the SIM cards to some professions during the shutdown.—
Amir-Hussein Radjy,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
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My professional experience spans multiple disciplines, including serving as a police officer, a business owner and a licensed therapist, which provides me with a well-rounded and versatile skill set.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
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The channels will carry soccer, cricket, kabaddi, badminton, wrestling and combat sports including boxing, among other disciplines.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 May 2026
Noun
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The city’s Lake Austin overlay adds another layer of limitation, regulating how owners can build near the water, including the size, placement and expansion of homes, docks, bulkheads and other shoreline improvements within 1,000 feet of the lake.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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The authors were careful to note the limitations of the current evidence.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Noun
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For me, one of these compulsions ended up being using the tracking app.—
Sara Rowe Mount,
Parents,
22 May 2026
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In a clinical setting, mental health experts call such actions compulsions – behaviors that feel impossible to resist – are fueled by obsessive thoughts and eventually begin to interfere with a person’s ability to lead a normal, healthy life.—
Jordyn Tovey,
The Conversation,
22 May 2026
Noun
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The pic about decades of political repression in Iran won the L’Oeil d’or Prize today, which is the fest’s top award for docs.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
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Simultaneously, the setting itself becomes a kind of haunting character, as a living ecosystem of repression and collective denial help propel Pennywise toward his depraved goal.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
19 May 2026
Noun
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Amy Lawrence pointed out that, while Arsenal possess that type of player, there is a level of inhibition.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
-
Alcohol relieves social inhibition.—
Jonathan Avery,
STAT,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraint. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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