constrained
Americanadjective
-
forced, compelled, or obliged.
a constrained confession.
-
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.
"Samsung's ability to supply HBM to Nvidia is, in my view, somewhat constrained," Joo Won, head of the economic research division at Hyundai Research Institute, told AFP.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
Over the next three decades, sea level rise pathways are relatively well constrained, making this period especially important for long-range adaptation and infrastructure planning.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026
With exports constrained by port capacity, it is likely that 4 million to 4.5 million barrels a day has been Yanbu’s maximum sustained capacity, said Robin Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy, a consultancy in Dubai.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026
The picture is rather constrained on both right now.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
“Oh, Rita hasn’t written anything at all since the third task,” said Hermione in an oddly constrained voice.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
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.
