constrained

[ kuh n-streynd ]

/ kənˈstreɪnd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR constrained ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

forced, compelled, or obliged: a constrained confession.

stiff or unnatural; uneasy or embarrassed: a constrained manner.

Nearby words

constitutionalize, constitutionally, constitutive, constr., constrain, constrained, constraint, constrict, constriction, constriction ring, constrictive

Origin of constrained

First recorded in 1565–75; constrain + -ed²

Related forms

con·strain·ed·ly

[kuh n-strey-nid-lee] /kənˈstreɪ nɪd li/, adverbun·con·strained, adjective

Definition for constrained (2 of 2)

constrain

[ kuhn-streyn ]

/ kənˈstreɪn /

verb (used with object)

to force, compel, or oblige: He was constrained to admit the offense.

to confine forcibly, as by bonds.

to repress or restrain: Cold weather constrained the plant's growth.

Origin of constrain

1275–1325; Middle English constrei(g)nen < Anglo-French, Middle French constrei(g)n- (stem of constreindre) < Latin constringere. See con-, strain¹

SYNONYMS FOR constrain

1 coerce.

2 check, bind.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR constrain ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR constrain

2 free.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR constrain ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

con·strain·a·ble, adjectivecon·strain·er, nouncon·strain·ing·ly, adverbnon·con·strain·ing, adjective

un·con·strain·a·ble, adjectiveun·con·strain·ing, adjective

Can be confused

coerce compel constrain force oblige

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for constrained

In one fell swoop, the Supreme Court has constrained government power, expanded corporate rights, and protected religious tyranny.
Hobby Lobby: Sex, Lies, and Craft Supplies|Sally Kohn|July 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Both are constrained by the willingness of readers to shell out money for books that may or may not be worth buying.
Amazon Is NOT the Vladimir Putin of the Publishing World|Nick Gillespie|June 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tesla has said that its ability to produce cars has been constrained by a lack of batteries from suppliers.
Tesla Looks Like a Bubble, Will It Pop?|Daniel Gross|March 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To put it anachronistically, you didn't belong to the constrained world of Marx and Milton Friedman.
I Don't Text on Shabbas|Gershom Gorenberg|June 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST

He never ignited much enthusiasm, however, and he was constrained to choose a highly ideological legislator running mate.
Cruz's Secret Weapon: Republican Despair|David Frum|May 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The motives that constrained the holy man to this step are not easily divined.
The Fair God|Lew Wallace
He was constrained to steady himself by clutching at the table.
An Engagement of Convenience|Louis Zangwill
As for myself, I am constrained to believe that I am as safe in a storm as in a calm from what I have seen and known.
The Life and Labours of the Rev. Samuel Marsden|Samuel Marsden
Both had been constrained to feel that the immutability of species could not be maintained.
Darwin and Modern Science|A.C. Seward and Others
He himself professed to be unwilling, “unless he was constrained by his subjects.”
The Divorce of Catherine of Aragon|J.A. Froude

British Dictionary definitions for constrained (1 of 2)

constrained

/ (kənˈstreɪnd) /

adjective

embarrassed, unnatural, or forceda constrained smile

Derived Forms

constrainedly (kənˈstreɪnɪdlɪ), adverb

British Dictionary definitions for constrained (2 of 2)

constrain

/ (kənˈstreɪn) /

verb (tr)

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

to restrain by or as if by force; confine

Derived Forms

constrainer, noun

Word Origin for constrain

C14: from Old French constreindre, from Latin constringere to bind together, from stringere to bind

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012