CONSTRAIN Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'constrain' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of constrain are coerce , compel , force , and oblige . While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice. // constrained by conscience

Q: When could 'coerce' be used to replace 'constrain'?

Although the words coerce and constrain have much in common, coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure. // coerced into signing over the rights

Q: When would 'compel' be a good substitute for 'constrain'?

The meanings of compel and constrain largely overlap; however, compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force. // compelled to admit my mistake

Q: Where would 'force' be a reasonable alternative to 'constrain'?

While the synonyms force and constrain are close in meaning, force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress. // forced to flee for their lives

Q: When is 'oblige' a more appropriate choice than 'constrain'?

In some situations, the words oblige and constrain are roughly equivalent. However, oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty. // felt obliged to go

constrain

verb

kən-ˈstrān

Definition of constrain

as in to compel

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure constrained by conscience to tell only the truth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to regulate

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) constrained his anger at the needless interruption

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word constrain different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of constrain are coerce, compel, force, and oblige. While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

When could coerce be used to replace constrain?

Although the words coerce and constrain have much in common, coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

When would compel be a good substitute for constrain?

The meanings of compel and constrain largely overlap; however, compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

Where would force be a reasonable alternative to constrain?

While the synonyms force and constrain are close in meaning, force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

When is oblige a more appropriate choice than constrain?

In some situations, the words oblige and constrain are roughly equivalent. However, oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of constrain He’s also been constrained by fibromyalgia, a condition Jacobs only recently began disclosing publicly. — Kevin McKeough, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026 Rather than behaving independently, their interactions begin to constrain how the material changes. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026 Because the size of a black hole is directly correlated with its mass, this meant that the researchers were able to constrain the mass of the black hole at the heart of NGC 1275. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Iran and its Houthi allies have also attacked refineries in the Middle East, further constraining fuel supplies. — Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for constrain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrain

Verb

When the drummer was compelled the leave the stage Thursday in Tulsa, there was some confusion during an approximate 25-minute break before the music resumed with Journey’s drum tech, Steve Toomey, taking over.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
The Fifth Amendment generally protects government employees from having statements that are compelled under threat of losing their jobs used against them in a criminal prosecution.

— Matt Peterson,Luke Fountain, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of compel

Verb

These tiny architects of the deep sea actively regulate microbial populations.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
Leaning into many voters’ skepticism of artificial intelligence and data centers, Biss has also put forward a multipart plan to regulate the industry.

— Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of regulate

Verb

Terry Kay liked to tell the story of how he was coerced into writing his first novel by Pat Conroy, who told his literary agent Kay had written a brilliant manuscript.

— Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Unlike an appeal, the post-conviction process allows a petitioner to introduce new information, such as new allegations or evidence that their attorney coerced or threatened them.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of coerce

Verb

This post contains spoilers for The Diplomat Season 4, now streaming on Netflix.

— Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
The researchers started by making a single, long protein that contained the protease, the sequence it was designed to target, and a fluorescent protein.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

Andrey Khrzhanovskiy, a blogger who filmed the assault, said the settlers beat Levine with sticks while the journalists and villagers were forced to retreat.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Trump repeatedly leaned on Thune to kill the filibuster in order to pass it, and other senators wanted Thune to try to force Democrats to pull off a talking filibuster to block the bill.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of force

Verb

The question confronting Israel and its international partners is not simply whether money should flow into Gaza, but also who controls it—and whether the next arrangement will avoid the failures of the last.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Virginia did a good job controlling SMU for long stretches, but a few big plays negated all that.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of control

Verb

His lawyers, making the motion for dismissal, argued that Kuznietsov was still an active duty soldier and as such was obligated by Ukrainian law not to speak for reasons of secrecy linked to national security.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case exploring the extent to which companies from an array of sectors are obligated to protect the privacy of customers’ video-viewing data.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of obligate

Verb

According to the report, one of the nightclub's owners attempted to physically restrain Lindo and pleaded with him to drop the weapon, describing Lindo as acting focused on his target.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Corrections officials said the officers forced Olivas back into his cell and restrained him.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of restrain

Browse Nearby Words

constitutive

constrain

constrained

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Style

“Constrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrain. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of constrain

verb

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