constraint

[ kuhn-streynt ]

/ kənˈstreɪnt /

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See synonyms for: constraint / constraints on Thesaurus.com

noun

limitation or restriction.

repression of natural feelings and impulses: to practice constraint.

unnatural restraint in manner, conversation, etc.; embarrassment.

something that constrains.

the act of constraining.

the condition of being constrained.

Linguistics. a restriction on the operation of a linguistic rule or the occurrence of a linguistic construction.

OTHER WORDS FOR constraint

1 force, obligation, pressure.

See synonyms for constraint on Thesaurus.com

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of constraint

1350–1400; Middle English constreinte<Middle French, noun use of feminine past participle of constreindre;see constrain

OTHER WORDS FROM constraint

non·con·straint, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use constraint in a sentence

Despite that seeming constraint, Adger argues in his new book, Language Unlimited, that the sentences we make are infinite in faculty, form, and expression.
Talking Is Throwing Fictional Worlds at One Another - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Kevin Berger|September 9, 2020|Nautilus
Reflecting on these difficulties gives us a couple of constraints that any foundational moral theory must satisfy.
The Universe Knows Right from Wrong - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Philip Goff|September 9, 2020|Nautilus
The task I set myself is to construct a theory able to satisfy both of these constraints, and to avoid the dilemma which has plagued so many foundational moral theories.
The Universe Knows Right from Wrong - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Philip Goff|September 9, 2020|Nautilus
Mattingly again provided expert testimony, this time adding 57,202 more maps made using less stringent constraints than the first batch.
How next-gen computer generated maps detect partisan gerrymandering|Sujata Gupta|September 7, 2020|Science News

Recently, we’ve seen geographical constraints move to timezone ones, especially for synchronous companies that do most of the work together.
How would an SEO agency be built today? Part 1: Consumers and trends|Sponsored Content: SEOmonitor|September 4, 2020|Search Engine Land
James and NBPA head Chris Paul have already suggested that it might be time to get rid of salary constraints altogether.
2014 NBA Preview: Skinny LeBron and the Racist Ghost of Donald Sterling|Robert Silverman|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Vogel spins a story of a political culture becoming slowly unbound by previous constraints like party loyalty or seniority.
Is Big Money Politics an Overblown Evil?|David Freedlander|August 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some have also argued that time constraints may be an issue.
The Mom Forced to Have a C-Section|Emily Shire|June 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The real gets wrapped up in the artificial and bucks at the constraints of convention.
Novelist D. Foy Dubs His Debut ‘Gutter Opera’ And Who Are We To Argue?|J.T. Price|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It overwhelms the old constraints and demolishes social convention.
John O’Hara’s Mean, Lean Debut Novel Never Gives In to Despair|Nathaniel Rich|April 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You are vigilant and self-reliant; and, pleased with this, I wish not to obtrude any constraints nor restraints upon you.
Speeches and Letters of Abraham Lincoln, 1832-1865|Abraham Lincoln
To entirely renumber all footnote tags with a unique number was a task beyond the time constraints of this editor.
Legends of the Northwest|Hanford Lennox Gordon
You are vigilant and self-reliant; and, pleased with this, I wish not to obtrude any restraints or constraints upon you.
The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Seven|Abraham Lincoln
Some of these aims may not be achievable given the political and technology constraints, but need to be explored.
Shock and Awe|Harlan K. Ullman
Pleasure and pain, on the one side and the other, were the rude constraints which defined the line on which efforts must proceed.
Folkways|William Graham Sumner

British Dictionary definitions for constraint

constraint

/ (kənˈstreɪnt) /

noun

compulsion, force, or restraint

repression or control of natural feelings or impulses

a forced unnatural manner; inhibition

something that serves to constrain; restrictive conditionsocial constraints kept him silent

linguistics any very general restriction on a sentence formation rule

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

constraint

OTHER WORDS FOR constraint

Origin of constraint

OTHER WORDS FROM constraint

Words related to constraint

How to use constraint in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for constraint