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Synonyms

constrained

American  
[kuhn-streynd] / kənˈstreɪnd /

adjective

  1. forced, compelled, or obliged.

    a constrained confession.

  2. stiff or unnatural; uneasy or embarrassed.

    a constrained manner.


constrained British  
/ kənˈstreɪnɪdlɪ, kənˈstreɪnd /

adjective

  1. embarrassed, unnatural, or forced

    a constrained smile

"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

Other Word Forms

  • constrainedly adverb
  • unconstrained adjective

Etymology

Origin of constrained

First recorded in 1565–75; constrain + -ed 2

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.

As data centers begin to incur depreciation costs, free cash flow will only become more constrained.

From MarketWatch

No other video provider is constrained by the government in that way—including competitors like YouTube and Netflix, which didn’t exist in 1996.

From The Wall Street Journal

He offered no details on how Russian, Chinese and U.S. nuclear forces would be constrained while a new pact is drafted.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even with gross domestic product growth running at just a little over 2% a year, Australia’s economy is badly constrained.

From The Wall Street Journal

Theme parks and cruise ships were constrained only by their size.

From The Wall Street Journal