constrained
Americanadjective
-
forced, compelled, or obliged.
a constrained confession.
-
stiff or unnatural; uneasy or embarrassed.
a constrained manner.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of constrained
Explanation
Something that's constrained is forced, unnatural and not very spontaneous — kind of like a linebacker trying to perform the ballet Swan Lake. Constrained contains the word strained for a reason. Mostly because anyone that's constrained is feeling a fair amount of strain because of it. In addition to referring to unnatural or uncharacteristic behavior, being constrained can also mean being held back or forced to do something you don't want to do. If your budget has taken a hit, for example, you may feel constrained financially. If you are on a diet, you may feel constrained by the Weight Watchers point system.
Vocabulary lists containing constrained
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
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Ash
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In an interview with Barron’s, Micron Chief Business Officer Sumit Sadana said that purchasing decisions made by some large customers in 2023 are partly to blame for today’s constrained supply.
From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026
The truth where we and our contemporary stage surrogates are concerned is somewhat more constrained.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026
But there's a feeling that the fundamental challenges he faces are the same faced by Sir Keir, and that he'll be largely constrained by the same economic conditions.
From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026
Measures like tax cuts could help bolster spending, but many governments are constrained by high debt levels, defense investments and aging populations.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2026
Though they may harness winds and currents, they are unable to control these natural forces, and are always constrained by their physical design.
From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
