constrained
Americanadjective
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forced, compelled, or obliged.
a constrained confession.
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stiff or unnatural; uneasy or embarrassed.
a constrained manner.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of constrained
Explanation
Something that's constrained is forced, unnatural and not very spontaneous — kind of like a linebacker trying to perform the ballet Swan Lake. Constrained contains the word strained for a reason. Mostly because anyone that's constrained is feeling a fair amount of strain because of it. In addition to referring to unnatural or uncharacteristic behavior, being constrained can also mean being held back or forced to do something you don't want to do. If your budget has taken a hit, for example, you may feel constrained financially. If you are on a diet, you may feel constrained by the Weight Watchers point system.
Vocabulary lists containing constrained
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
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Ash
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He also noted that in parts of the country where inventory has been constrained, such as in New Jersey, bidding wars are still happening.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 9, 2026
But he acknowledged that it is "a very difficult thing to deliver" in an uncertain world, where "public finances are constrained" and politicians face "hard decisions".
From BBC • Jul. 9, 2026
The outlook for industry could also be constrained by higher borrowing costs after the ECB raised interest rates in June to prevent higher energy prices from feeding through into broader inflation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026
Traditional engines are constrained by the Carnot Limit, which defines the maximum efficiency allowed by classical thermodynamics.
From Science Daily • Jul. 5, 2026
Malvonne could feel the wall of life pressed up against the woman’s palms; feel her hands bashed tender from pounding it; her hips constrained by the clutch of small children.
From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
