Definitions
- Referring to a limitation or restriction on something. - Describing a situation where something is held back or prevented from reaching its full potential. - Talking about a force or pressure that limits or restricts someone's actions or choices.
- Referring to the act of holding back or preventing something from moving or acting. - Describing a situation where someone is prevented from doing something they want to do. - Talking about a physical or emotional force that prevents someone from behaving in a certain way.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words involve limiting or preventing something.
- 2Both words can refer to physical or emotional forces.
- 3Both words can be used in formal or informal contexts.
What is the difference?
- 1Focus: Constrain focuses on limitations or restrictions, while restrain focuses on holding back or preventing something from happening.
- 2Action: Constrain implies an external force that limits or restricts, while restrain implies an active effort to hold back or control something.
- 3Intensity: Constrain can be less intense than restrain, which implies a stronger physical or emotional force.
- 4Usage: Constrain is often used in business or academic contexts, while restrain is more commonly used in everyday language.
- 5Direction: Constrain can limit or restrict both positive and negative outcomes, while restrain is typically used to prevent negative outcomes.
Remember this!
Constrain and restrain are synonyms that both refer to limiting or preventing something. However, constrain emphasizes limitations or restrictions, while restrain focuses on holding back or preventing something from happening. Additionally, constrain is often used in formal or academic contexts, while restrain is more commonly used in everyday language.
