What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
compulsion
Example
She felt a compulsion to check her phone every few minutes. [compulsion: noun]
Example
He was compelled to speak up against the injustice he witnessed. [compelled: verb]
constraint
Example
The budget constraints prevented us from hiring more staff. [constraints: noun]
Example
She felt constrained by the expectations of her family and society. [constrained: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Constraint is more commonly used than compulsion in everyday language. Constraint is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while compulsion is less common and often used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between compulsion and constraint?
Both compulsion and constraint can be used in formal and informal contexts, but constraint is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
