constrain Definition
- 1to limit or restrict someone or something
- 2to force someone to do something they do not want to do
Using constrain: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "constrain" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The company was constrained by a lack of resources.
Example
The new regulations will constrain the industry's growth.
Example
I am constrained to inform you that your application has been rejected.
Example
The hostages were constrained to cooperate with their captors.
constrain Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using constrain
constrained circumstances
a situation where one is limited by financial or other resources
Example
Growing up in constrained circumstances, she learned to be resourceful and creative.
limited by traditional or societal norms or expectations
Example
She felt constrained by convention and longed to break free from the expectations placed on her.
writing that follows strict rules or limitations, often for artistic effect
Example
His poetry was known for its constrained writing style, using only a limited set of words and structures.
Phrases with constrain
to feel limited or restricted in one's actions or choices
Example
I feel constrained by the rules of this organization.
a smile that is forced or insincere, often due to discomfort or awkwardness
Example
She gave him a constrained smile, not sure how to respond to his comment.
self-constrained
to voluntarily limit or restrict oneself in some way
Example
He was self-constrained in his spending habits, always saving for a rainy day.
Origins of constrain
from Old French 'constra(i)ndre', from Latin 'constringere', meaning 'to bind together'
Summary: constrain in Brief
The verb 'constrain' [kənˈstreɪn] means to limit or restrict someone or something, or to force someone to do something they do not want to do. It can be used in contexts such as business, law, and personal relationships. Examples include 'The new regulations will constrain the industry's growth.' and 'The hostages were constrained to cooperate with their captors.' 'Constrain' also appears in phrases like 'feel constrained,' and idioms like 'constrained circumstances,' referring to limited resources.
