What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
duress
Example
The confession was made under duress and cannot be used as evidence. [duress: noun]
Example
She signed the contract under duress, fearing for her safety. [duress: adverb]
constraint
Example
The budget constraints prevented us from hiring more staff. [constraint: noun]
Example
He felt constrained by the rules and regulations of the company. [constrained: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Constraint is more commonly used than duress in everyday language. Constraint is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while duress is less common and typically used in legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between duress and constraint?
Both duress and constraint are formal words that are typically used in professional or academic settings. However, duress is more specific to legal contexts and may be considered more formal in those situations.
