constrain

[kuhn-streyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to force, compel, or oblige.

   He was constrained to admit the offense.

   Synonyms: coerce

2. to confine forcibly, as by bonds.

   Synonyms: bind, check
   Antonyms: free

3. to repress or restrain.

   Cold weather constrained the plant's growth.

constrain

/ kənˈstreɪn /

verb

1. to compel or force, esp by persuasion, circumstances, etc; oblige

2. to restrain by or as if by force; confine

Other Word Forms

• constrainer noun
• constrainable adjective
• constrainingly adverb
• nonconstraining adjective
• unconstrainable adjective
• unconstraining adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of constrain¹

1275–1325; Middle English constrei ( g ) nen < Anglo-French, Middle French constrei ( g ) n- (stem of constreindre ) < Latin constringere. See con-, strain ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of constrain¹

C14: from Old French constreindre, from Latin constringere to bind together, from stringere to bind

Example Sentences

"She's about quality, not quantity. She's not going to be constrained by how anyone else in the past has done the role."

From BBC

Lord Murphy said that while those who oppose the Windsor Framework would have liked him to have had a wider remit, he was "constrained by the terms of reference of this review".

From BBC

Will strong legal safeguards and transparent oversight constrain these tools for integrated data analysis?

From Salon

Even before then, Paramount’s buying habits were constrained by its heavy debt and past penchant for share buybacks, making it difficult for them to invest deeply in new content.

From Los Angeles Times

Dr Xand also cautions that some back gadgets marketed as improving posture can force you into one position that constrains and restricts your movement and that's the opposite of what you want to be doing.

From BBC

Related Words

• bind 
• constrict 
• curb 
• hold down 
• inhibit 
• necessitate 
• stifle