constraining

verb

present participle of constrain
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

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 constraining Corrales argues that college athletes are relatively insulated from the forces constraining study abroad. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 27 Aug. 2026 As the United States and China continue high-level talks, constraining the underground financial architecture of the illicit economy is an opportunity for a mutual diplomatic win. — Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026 Studies suggest Imperial Japan’s sardine catch declined drastically and even ceased during the early 1940s, constraining the empire’s military power relying on fisheries resources. — Pei-Hsu Lin, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026 In the post-Watergate, post-Vietnam era, this thinking went, Congress had gone too far in constraining the executive branch with presumptuous reforms that aimed to secure greater accountability and transparency from the White House. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Power grid limitations, construction labor shortages, and community opposition to data centers are already constraining that buildout. — Nili Gilbert, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 Tuesday's vote ended with 189 voting in favor and 235 voting in opposition of constraining the president's authority. — Alex Sundby, CBS News, 30 June 2026 The deal focused overwhelmingly on constraining Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for gradual sanctions relief. — Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraining
  1. forcing
  2. regulating
  3. coercing
  4. controlling
  5. compelling
  6. curbing
  7. obligating
  8. containing
Verb
  • Jones wanted to show that despite her stern attitude with John and forcing him to grow up, her love for her child always comes through.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
  • However, analysts warn that the plans will likely take years to come to fruition, forcing countries to seek immediate alternatives elsewhere.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of forcing
Verb
  • The sweet summer fruit is made of 92 percent water, an essential nutrient for regulating body temperature and supporting key processes in the body, notes Elick.
    — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Comporta and Melides have their beach clubs and their destination dining, but strict laws regulating construction have for now prevented the kind of overdevelopment that can disrupt such an unspoiled place.
    — Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of regulating
Verb
  • But in the past, these efforts were largely aimed at threatening or coercing Washington to act in their favor.
    — Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The losses exceed the number of fresh recruits that Moscow can muster, and Russian authorities are coercing men into signing up.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of coercing
Verb
  • The company has also said that controlling the chip, domain controller and underlying software stack could help reduce component costs as production volumes increase.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Japanese doctors have advised patients reporting rashes or difficulty controlling bowels after frequent use to stop until symptoms clear, per the AP.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of controlling
Verb
  • The state’s campaign watchdog can seek a court order compelling an influencer to disclose that they were paid, but that can take months.
    — Sophie Austin, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • This trend could displace hundreds of thousands of older adults, compelling them to select new Medicare Advantage plans.
    — Bruce Japsen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of compelling
Verb
  • Still, the pushback led Langley to announce a slew of measures aimed at curbing police misuse.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • What the settlement actually changes The design changes, such as curbing infinite scroll and autoplay, are the substantive core of the agreement.
    — Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of curbing
Verb
  • Your 11th House of Friends lights up as the life-giving Sun energizes that area, squaring obligating Saturn in your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of obligating
Verb
  • Pricing Happy Head’s topical solution is billed on a monthly basis, with a single bottle containing two ounces of treatment solution.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Mass spectrometry revealed that the broken containers had once held something containing the chemical compounds theobromine, theophylline, caffeine, and paraxanthine.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of containing

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constrained
constraining
constrains
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Cite this Entry

“Constraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraining. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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