constraining

verb

present participle of constrain
1
as in forcing
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure constrained by conscience to tell only the truth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in regulating
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) constrained his anger at the needless interruption

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 constraining Power grid limitations, construction labor shortages, and community opposition to data centers are already constraining that buildout. — Nili Gilbert, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 Tuesday's vote ended with 189 voting in favor and 235 voting in opposition of constraining the president's authority. — Alex Sundby, CBS News, 30 June 2026 The deal focused overwhelmingly on constraining Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for gradual sanctions relief. — Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 When temperatures plunge, demand for gas surges at the same time that wells, pipelines, and processing equipment can freeze, constraining supply and driving prices higher. — Julianna Larue, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026 Dealing with this issue commonly involves constraining model outputs. — ArsTechnica, 8 June 2026 But Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon, expects that wage growth could come under pressure, constraining future consumer spending. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 29 May 2026 Taking the unprecedented step of constraining proxy advisor influence through exchange-level rules is a key part of that mission. — James H. Lee, Fortune, 28 May 2026 The conflict looms large over the film’s Kosovar Albanian teens — as does institutionalized discrimination against them — but Basholli’s intentionally blinkered focus, through the eyes of her 13-year-old protagonist, proves constraining and liberating all at once. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraining
  1. forcing
  2. regulating
  3. coercing
  4. controlling
  5. compelling
  6. curbing
  7. obligating
  8. containing
Verb
  • Now sitting in Dallas and forcing myself to watch Joker 2, that was bad.
    — Chris Stanton, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • As recently as 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton tore through Florida weeks before Election Day, damaging 25 polling places and forcing a reduction of these centers.
    — Jonathan Webber, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of forcing
Verb
  • Some research suggests breakfast skipping may be associated with greater hunger later in the day and difficulty regulating food intake, Wallach says.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The temperature-regulating fabric, made from a blend of 65 percent cotton and 35 percent linen, is the perfect choice for any upcoming bridal or baby showers, picnics, or even as a cool swimsuit cover-up at the beach.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of regulating
Verb
  • The losses exceed the number of fresh recruits that Moscow can muster, and Russian authorities are coercing men into signing up.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Anna’s colleague Noa Toussaint (CCH Pounder) follows with a video of Max coercing his mistress into suicide, shattering the narrative that bought his freedom.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
Definition of coercing
Verb
  • So is controlling blood pressure, treating chronic conditions such as diabetes, avoiding smoking, limiting excessive alcohol use, getting enough sleep and maintaining a healthy weight.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • For example, crabgrass treatments are most effective when applied in spring, and fall is ideal for controlling broadleaf weeds.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of controlling
Verb
  • This trend could displace hundreds of thousands of older adults, compelling them to select new Medicare Advantage plans.
    — Bruce Japsen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Agents instead went to several reporters' homes on the night of Friday, July 10 - just two days after the first story was published - with subpoenas compelling their testimony before a grand jury.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 July 2026
Definition of compelling
Verb
  • Deploying renewables paired with intelligent energy conservation and grid management, individuals, businesses, municipalities, and entire countries are earnestly curbing their CO2 emissions.
    — John Vaillant, Time, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Higher-voltage architecture reduces current loads, curbing heat buildup and boosting efficiency during sustained performance runs.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of curbing
Verb
  • Your 11th House of Friends lights up as the life-giving Sun energizes that area, squaring obligating Saturn in your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026
  • The unions argue that carrying out permanent layoffs during a funding lapse violates the Antideficiency Act, which bars agencies from obligating funds without congressional authorization, and exceeds executive authority under the Administrative Procedure Act.
    — Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Definition of obligating
Verb
  • This was some 50 pallets containing more than 150,000 pieces of athletic gear – 6,500 pairs of shoes alone – all of which had to be sorted by team and distributed across campus in less than a month.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Three months earlier, he’d been accused of violating parole for a burglary conviction, after allegedly using his car to ram a vehicle containing his girlfriend and her 5-year-old child.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of containing

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Cite this Entry

“Constraining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraining. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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