constrain

American  

[kuhn-streyn] / kənˈstreɪn /

verb (used with object)

1. to force, compel, or oblige.

   He was constrained to admit the offense.

   Synonyms:

   coerce

2. to confine forcibly, as by bonds.

   Synonyms:

   bind, check

   Antonyms:

   free

3. to repress or restrain.

   Cold weather constrained the plant's growth.

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constrain British  

/ kənˈstreɪn /

verb

1. to compel or force, esp by persuasion, circumstances, etc; oblige

2. to restrain by or as if by force; confine

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Other Word Forms

• constrainable adjective
• constrainer noun
• constrainingly adverb
• nonconstraining adjective
• unconstrainable adjective
• unconstraining adjective

Etymology

Origin of constrain

1275–1325; Middle English constrei ( g ) nen < Anglo-French, Middle French constrei ( g ) n- (stem of constreindre ) < Latin constringere. See con-, strain ¹

Explanation

To constrain is to hold back, restrain, or confine. If you've ever had to constrain a toddler in the middle of a temper tantrum, you know you have to watch out for flailing limbs. The verb constrain comes from the Latin word constringere, which means to bind together or tie tightly. Constrain can imply both literal and figurative bindings. You can constrain someone by physically holding on to something like a person's shirt. Or, you can figuratively constrain someone by putting up obstacles. Your teenagers, for example, may feel constrained by your rules and accuse you of sucking the fun out of their social lives.

Example Sentences

Some have backed the administration's handling of the conflict, while others -- though uneasy about the lack of congressional oversight -- have stopped short of supporting measures that could constrain military operations.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Getting crosswise with public opinion is sometimes enough to constrain a president.

From Slate • Apr. 8, 2026

LeMay, predictably, was “solidly opposed” to the treaty, arguing it would impede military readiness and constrain America’s nuclear capability.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

Language, metaphors, narratives, structures—all these exist to explain, rather than constrain, our desires.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The term ‘relativism’ is contentious, but I use it, rather than ‘constructivism’, because I want to refer to those who hold that reality does not constrain the beliefs we can hold about the real world.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• bind
• constrict
• curb
• hold down
• inhibit
• necessitate
• stifle