constrain
verb (used with object)
to force, compel, or oblige.
constraining
-
present participleof constrain.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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 a result, they've become textbook examples of convergent evolution, which can tell us a lot about the processes driving and constraining adaptive change in response to similar environmental cues."
From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2026
He added that “when people hand off tasks to agents, more calls and texts can be made as a person’s attention & time are no longer constraining factors.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
"Ever since the 2011 magnitude 9.0 Tohoku-oki earthquake in Japan, we realized that the tsunami data had really valuable information for constraining shallow slip," said Melgar.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 25, 2026
Coming into the conflict, the ECB’s interest rate was at the level economists believe is neutral for the economy—neither constraining nor stimulating growth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026
In this sense, mathematics is just the opposite of constraining; it is empowering, and at the service of anyone who cares to use it.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
