1
as in forcing
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 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
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Recent Examples of constraining
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
The Edds lawsuit seeks a ruling that limits the city’s authority on the existing pavement footprint, constraining its ability to respond to future bluff movement.
—Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Together, these trends suggest that future enrollment levels will be shaped by both expanding and constraining forces.
—Aparna Soni, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026
The peace deal should include restrictions on Iran nuclear capabilities and reopening the global trade artery of the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for lifting all economic sanctions constraining Iran.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
The war is constraining oil exports and prompting major producers like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to scale back output as shipments face growing obstacles.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
The war is constraining oil exports and prompting major producers like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to scale back output as shipments face growing obstacles.
—Rio Yamat, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
As for why the Legislature hasn’t done more to stem the flow of money into the system, Bakken said that constraining donors too greatly could push them to divert cash from campaign donations into commercials and mailers in support of candidates, something candidates legally can’t control.
—Rob Davis, ProPublica, 13 Mar. 2026
The final remaining treaty constraining the two largest of them, belonging to America and Russia, expired last month without being replaced.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The Edds lawsuit seeks a ruling that limits the city’s authority on the existing pavement footprint, constraining its ability to respond to future bluff movement.
—Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Together, these trends suggest that future enrollment levels will be shaped by both expanding and constraining forces.
—Aparna Soni, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026
The peace deal should include restrictions on Iran nuclear capabilities and reopening the global trade artery of the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for lifting all economic sanctions constraining Iran.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
The war is constraining oil exports and prompting major producers like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to scale back output as shipments face growing obstacles.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026
The war is constraining oil exports and prompting major producers like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to scale back output as shipments face growing obstacles.
—Rio Yamat, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
As for why the Legislature hasn’t done more to stem the flow of money into the system, Bakken said that constraining donors too greatly could push them to divert cash from campaign donations into commercials and mailers in support of candidates, something candidates legally can’t control.
—Rob Davis, ProPublica, 13 Mar. 2026
The final remaining treaty constraining the two largest of them, belonging to America and Russia, expired last month without being replaced.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraining
Verb
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Things quickly changed, however, as Orlando’s defense stopped forcing turnovers and its offense came to a halt.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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The staff union picketed outside the SAG-AFTRA building, where those negotiations were held for the first two weeks, blocking entrances to the parking garage and forcing negotiators to cross a picket line to get inside.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the local level, laws and practices regulating gun dealers can vary widely from city to city.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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In much the same way, the government could pass new laws regulating AI firms’ commercial activities.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Prior to his 2011 conviction, Jeffs was charged and convicted of being an accomplice to rape in September 2007 after coercing a 14-year-old to marry her 19-year-old cousin, though the ruling was later overturned by the Utah Supreme Court over faulty jury instructions, according to CBS News.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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Indonesia responded the following day by coercing the UDT and APODETI, among others, into issuing and signing the Balibo Declaration, which proclaimed the integration of East Timor into Indonesia.—
Agathe Demarolle,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Till the final whistle, or James’ final words, leaving Toyota Center on Friday with a controlling advantage en route to a potential second-round showdown with the defending champs, that desperation was evident.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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The company completed a recapitalization in October that cemented its structure as a nonprofit with a controlling stake in its for-profit business.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On March 17, the House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena to Bondi, compelling her to sit for a deposition about the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files on April 14.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
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The Justice Department initially said that its release, made in response to a law passed by Congress compelling the agency to disclose nearly all files related to Epstein, comprised more than 3 million pages.—
Elliott Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While his hedge fund invested in fossil fuels, Steyer spent millions to protect a California law aimed at curbing planet-warming emissions.—
Sophie Austin,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, a group dedicated to hunters and fisherman, helped develop and pass the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act, which authorizes an annual $70 million investment through 2028 to fund research aimed at curbing the spread of the disease.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 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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Leaving Italy for Paris, Jarmusch said the Italian equivalent of TSA had asked him what was in the box containing his Golden Lion.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
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Ceasar Mitchell, an attorney representing KMT, told the DAFC board that Council member Linda Pritchett, who represents the district containing the Project Mapco site, wrote a letter in support of the tax break.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraining. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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