constraint

noun

kən-ˈstrānt How to pronounce constraint (audio)
Definition of constraintnext
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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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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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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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 constraint The Tehran region director of the NIOPDC also said that damage inflicted on Tehran’s petroleum product storage and distribution infrastructure during the war has created some constraints on fuel distribution. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 But for many patients, like Nodrab, surgery isn't an option due to financial or other constraints. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 No team in history has ever been more burdened by dead cap, so winning more than four games with those constraints should feel like a coup for new coach Jeff Hafley. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 The core constraint facing the United States in the Iran War is the global economic timeline. — Richard Escobedo, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for constraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint
  1. restraint
  2. restriction
  3. pressure
  4. discipline
  5. limitation
  6. compulsion
  7. repression
  8. inhibition
Noun
  • If the answer is yes, then waiting ceases to be a strategy of restraint and begins to look like gradual erosion of power and strength.
    — Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Meghna Gulzar has a very distinctive voice and an ability to approach difficult subjects with both restraint and intensity.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of restraint
Noun
  • Those restrictions formally sunset in 2022, but so far only Sony has done a major deal for cinemas, acquiring all 35 Alamo Drafthouse locations in 2024.
    — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • And at the state level, Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) in February introduced AB 2595, which would allow San Mateo County to impose age restrictions for e-bike riders under 12 years old in its jurisdiction.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of restriction
Noun
  • The Sun quincunxes Pluto, highlighting where careful effort meets control issues, hidden pressure, or shifting priorities.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The project uses horror and darkly comic genre elements to approach the psychological pressures of motherhood, extending Urban’s interest in personal experience as a route into broader social and political terrain.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of pressure
Noun
  • The university, like campuses nationwide, is barred by federal privacy law from discussing individual discipline cases or internal deliberations, even when a student goes public.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Eisenhower possessed iron discipline, sunny self-confidence and a mind that loved organizational challenges.
    — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of discipline
Noun
  • Even under strict limitations, the reopening of the trade channel brought relief to Mexico’s ranching industry, which was dealt an economic blow by the controls.
    — Abraham Tellez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Even with those limitations, the search terms show shoppers moving beyond broad brand names and into particular creative eras.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of limitation
Noun
  • The comedian has built her career by wringing laughs out of a compulsion to share her own worst thoughts about her body, life, and career through the lens of a glamorous cabaret diva.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The administration is right that trust matters more than compulsion alone.
    — Katrine Wallace, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of compulsion
Noun
  • However, these reports cannot cover every human rights violation that experts know about, especially in countries with low government transparency or high levels of repression.
    — K. Chad Clay, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Indeed, conflict and calamities are major factors in financial repression.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of repression
Noun
  • As art and its creators have shed their inhibitions in this post-Sadean world, politicians and cultural commentators have reliably lined up to condemn this total freedom of expression as being dangerous to society.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Put inhibitions aside to experience the latest episode of Doc Talk, hosted by John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Shirley), and Matt Carey, Deadline’s senior documentary editor.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 June 2026
Definition of inhibition

Browse Nearby Words

constrains
constraint
constraints
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on constraint

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about constraint

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