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
In Trump’s case, the Secret Service would then be in communication with emergency services, stadium personnel and private security agencies at the event to conduct the most comprehensive checks possible given the time constraints.
—
Elias Burke, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Given the constraints, the Royals are well-served to stay vigilant and opportunistic but let this unspool some more for now.
—Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
These biases and constraints can manifest at all levels of business, not just in individuals.
—François Candelon, Fortune, 11 July 2025
White House officials say there isn’t an active effort underway to try and remove Powell, a longstanding Trump fixation that advisers have dissuaded him from pursuing due to significant concerns over legal constraints and market reaction.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Elias Burke, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Given the constraints, the Royals are well-served to stay vigilant and opportunistic but let this unspool some more for now.
—Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
These biases and constraints can manifest at all levels of business, not just in individuals.
—François Candelon, Fortune, 11 July 2025
White House officials say there isn’t an active effort underway to try and remove Powell, a longstanding Trump fixation that advisers have dissuaded him from pursuing due to significant concerns over legal constraints and market reaction.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for constraint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint
Noun
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In the second photo, the animals are freed of their restraints — one of the pets is crawling about the bin while the other stays in its shell.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
24 July 2025
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Unlike the Washington consensus, which mandated fiscal austerity and economic restraint, Silicon Valley’s calls for unprecedented investment and acceleration.—
Arafat Kabir,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Justice Department stopped defending federal handgun rule In a move alarming to groups working to prevent gun violence, the DOJ declined to continue to defend a federal law setting 21 as the minimum age to own a handgun after an appeals court ruled the restriction unconstitutional.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
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The move comes as Brazilian authorities ordered Bolsonaro to wear an ankle monitor and imposed strict restrictions on his movement and communications.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Noun
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The vote has coincided with efforts by Beijing to raise its military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan.—
Jan Camenzind Broomby,
NPR,
26 July 2025
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Additionally, an area of low pressure is forecast to form offshore of the southwestern coast of Mexico early next week, according to the hurricane center.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Share Your Commitments With Others Share your commitments to drive discipline.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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But earth sign parents can also lean toward being stubborn and strict, which may cause friction during a stand off or while navigating discipline or tough conversations.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
15 July 2025
Noun
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This can result in compromises on certain ideas and slower development as your team contends with the platform's limitations.—
Andrii Kovalchuk,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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This is especially relevant for those who can't upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Another way patients differ is in the content of their obsessions and compulsions.—
Christina Caron,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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Avoiding certain places or situations to reduce anxiety or prevent triggering obsessions and compulsions is also common.—
Carol Mathews,
The Conversation,
13 May 2025
Noun
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The Bukele administration has unleashed a wave of repression over the past few months.—
Andrea Salcedo,
NPR,
17 July 2025
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And how Russian composers, those who stayed and those who left, dealt with militarism, nationalism and the threat of repression has never felt more relevant.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Before the month comes to a close, Mercury will station retrograde in Leo, activating your 12th house of secrets, surrender and your subconscious, bringing up old memories or inhibitions that have been clouding your clarity.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
8 July 2025
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Reservations and inhibitions have a way of slipping away in the Snake Pit.—
Shari Rudavsky,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraint. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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