constraints

noun

plural of constraint
1
as in restrictions
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice put legal constraints on the board's activities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pressures
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

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 constraints This is the point where optimization engines and AI recommendations must interact with real people making real operational decisions under real-world constraints. — George Ninikas, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026 But whether the technology behind the spectacle can scale commercially, with AI and software constraints unresolved, remains the question hanging over the stock. — Anniek Bao,jenni Reid,jenny Lee, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 That growth, paired with SpaceX’s intention to stop booking Falcon 9 launches past 2028 due to capacity constraints and the company’s shift towards Starship, leaves an opening for other launch companies, in Kolias’s view. — IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2026 Morgan Stanley’s report puts financial numbers on the constraints. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 Which time-share back has the best chance to break free of his constraints? — Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 According to Zhang, a military intelligence model could recommend materials that exceed their actual fatigue limits or suggest maneuvers that violate aerodynamic constraints. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026 Gloria said that while the city faces budget constraints and bureaucratic hurdles, San Diego is still committed to ending homelessness through a housing-first strategy. — Trevor Morgan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 Which is to say quality constraints on what Paramount could conceivably dump into theaters are totally lacking. — Chris Lee, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraints
  1. restrictions
  2. pressures
  3. limitations
  4. compulsions
Noun
  • Amid concerns of a further reduction in precipitation and runoff, the canal operator has already imposed multiple draft restrictions for larger Neopanamax vessels to limit the amount of freight carried through the channel.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • For bookmakers, the restrictions could therefore require a change in strategy rather than an exit from football.
    — Tom Chitty, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of restrictions
Noun
  • Prices of the precious commodity have swung dramatically from one season to the next, particularly as issues such as climate change, water scarcity and pest and disease pressures persist.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Spradling said large events can provide a significant boost, but staffing pressures, parking shortages and rising operating expenses remain ongoing challenges.
    — Kenny Choi, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of pressures
Noun
  • Legislators earlier this year passed a provision in the state budget that extends limitations on corporate tax credits, including a $5-million state tax credit cap each year.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In terms of procurement, infrastructural and market limitations do not incentivize the use of certified or recyclable materials.
    — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of limitations
Noun
  • The real question is whether Pennsylvania and cities like Pittsburgh want skill games and other gambling opportunities to be widespread and unavoidable for people who struggle with compulsions to gamble.
    — Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
  • These obsessions lead you to do repetitive behaviors, also called compulsions.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026
Definition of compulsions

Browse Nearby Words

constraint
constraints
constrict
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Constraints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraints. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on constraints

Nglish: Translation of constraints for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of august

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All