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.
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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.
Electric bikes can dramatically reduce operating costs for high-mileage riders, it said, although expansion was constrained by the same foreign-exchange shortages affecting the wider economy.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
Gasoline may respond more quickly, said Yilmaz, while diesel could remain comparatively supported through winter because inventories are still tight and middle-distillate supply remains constrained.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026
But we can panic less knowing their powers are constrained.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
“So the options for bailing out the financial sector, or fighting recession, could be much more constrained than during the global financial crisis.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026
Though they may harness winds and currents, they are unable to control these natural forces, and are always constrained by their physical design.
From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
