CONSTRAINT Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

constraint

noun

kən-ˈstrānt

Definition of constraint

as in restraint

the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others in civilized society people do not just say or do whatever they feel like—they exercise some constraint

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in restriction

something that limits one's freedom of action or choice put legal constraints on the board's activities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pressure

the use of power to impose one's will on another parental constraint can take several different forms, including a denial of the approval that children usually seek from their parents

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of constraint The survey’s proponents can also point to competing demands—such as housing, medical costs, and support for family members—as real constraints on saving, even for higher earners. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 On its last earnings call, Apple noted that supply constraints will impact iPhones. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026 The logistics giant quantified the wider benefit in its guidance filing, noting that the capacity constraints in the air freight market contributed roughly 100 million euros ($112 million) to the Express result for the quarter. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 The government has pointed to France’s strained finances as a constraint on addressing these issues. — Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for constraint

Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraint

Noun

Kitchen also had to develop a little more restraint — something that doesn't always come naturally in a sport where riders are constantly pushing the limits of speed and control.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Sullivan faces two counts of first-degree kidnapping and a single count each of first-degree assault, first-degree unlawful restraint and intentional cruelty to persons.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of restraint

Noun

The resulting restrictions can, in turn, constrain power generation and hamper economic growth.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Lamy, now with the Jacques Delors Institute, was one of the authors of a recent policy paper that called for restrictions on Chinese exports using a quota system — an idea that the EU has now embraced.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of restriction

Noun

Today, a fourth discipline has quietly become just as important.

— Tom Wicky, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
But Roger remembers the particular discipline of working on low-budget film productions, when stock and time were precious and rolling the camera was consequential.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of discipline

Noun

Airscope overcomes this limitation by delivering a large field of view in a design light enough for animals to wear freely.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Meta insisted its recent operational incidents come from technical limitations rather than any partiality.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of limitation

Noun

My mother bore the brunt of my compulsion, as mothers often do.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
The interior drew its own grim commentary—a few guests expressed feeling a sudden compulsion to jump from the top of the spiral ramp to their death.

— Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of compulsion

Noun

In my experience, the involvement of ketamine or other drugs invariably makes a bad situation worse – complicating consent, impairing judgment and reducing inhibitions.

— Christopher P. Holstege, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
Many visual motifs emerge, most notably the men in the crowd who shed any inhibitions to cry, dance, and belt the songs at the top of their lungs.

— Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of inhibition

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constrains

constraint

constraints

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Style

“Constraint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraint. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of constraint

noun

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