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
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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
The order facilitates research, encourages interagency coordination and creates a pathway for psychedelic therapies that have been difficult to study under existing regulatory constraints.
—
Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2026
That strategy also reflects the relative smaller pockets of Chinese AI firms and constraints in accessing cutting-edge chips under Washington’s export controls.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The official added that Iran is facing immediate logistical constraints, warning that storage capacity at Kharg Island — the country’s main oil export terminal — could be filled within days if exports remain blocked, potentially forcing production shut-ins.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Design constraints included a maximum length of 212 inches and a weight cap of 2,750 pounds.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2026
That strategy also reflects the relative smaller pockets of Chinese AI firms and constraints in accessing cutting-edge chips under Washington’s export controls.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The official added that Iran is facing immediate logistical constraints, warning that storage capacity at Kharg Island — the country’s main oil export terminal — could be filled within days if exports remain blocked, potentially forcing production shut-ins.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Design constraints included a maximum length of 212 inches and a weight cap of 2,750 pounds.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint
Noun
-
With the world facing profound suffering and division, moral voices calling for peace, restraint and sanctity of human life deserve to be protected and amplified, not condemned.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Initially, the couple was arrested on charges of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree unlawful restraint, intentional cruelty to persons, risk of injury to a minor and conspiracy to commit risk of injury to a minor.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Public plans often have more restrictions based on misconduct, but the standard for forfeiture typically relies on a criminal conviction, according to experts.—
Anna Liss-Roy The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
27 Apr. 2026
-
According to Delta's policies, there are no restrictions for flying while pregnant on the airline.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But within Seattle’s defense — a unit built on balance, depth and consistent pressure — his role still mattered.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In a sign of the pressure for Republicans to take advantage of the opportunity, multiple hopefuls running for governor in GOP primaries called for immediate redraws.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The local school board would decide whether cell phones could be used during after-school activities, and the districts would set their own policies on issues such as discipline for violating the policy, lawmakers said.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Both focus on human achievement, discipline and expression.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana is acutely aware of the limitations of this right.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The incentive economy seems to face similar limitations.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Writing, on the other hand, is my lifeline—a compulsion, a joy, and sometimes agony.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Family photo For Strausman, like so many artists of all skill levels, creating became a compulsion of the spirit.—
Steve Hartman,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Across administrations labeled 'moderate' or 'hardline,' the system has consistently relied on repression.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
While popular with Iranians living abroad, the true extent of support for Pahlavi within Iran is difficult to measure due to the political repression and mass censorship of the Islamic regime.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
However, the unique culture of our city often overpowers these inhibitions, and the sight of NYPD officers patrolling as modern-day knights on horseback is a reassuring testament to that strength.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
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Whereas Phoebe lacks inhibitions, Valerie is plagued by them, and the contrasting sitcom formats of Friends (multi-cam) and The Comeback (mockumentary) call for totally different performance styles.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraint. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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