CONSTRAINTS Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

constraints

noun

plural of constraint

as in restrictions

something that limits one's freedom of action or choice put legal constraints on the board's activities

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pressures

the use of power to impose one's will on another parental constraint can take several different forms, including a denial of the approval that children usually seek from their parents

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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 constraints Both have built much of their appeal on opposition to the political establishment, the promise to wish away budget constraints, and deep hostility toward the European Union. — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 The International Energy Agency has warned that constraints on the diesel market will likely keep prices elevated into the next year. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 And as always, sites and zones on Mars for the choppers means satisfying engineering constraints imposed by the project and spacecraft design. — Leonard David, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Of course, this protein design software is only a few years old, and both developers and users might have ideas for incorporating constraints beyond physical location. — ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 Some packs retain enough energy storage potential to serve stationary applications, where weight and packaging constraints matter less. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026 Many have been feeling the squeeze as costs for inputs like diesel, fertilizer and seed have soared thanks to refinery constraints and supply disruptions amid the Iran war. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 Perennial contenders despite the payroll constraints, unbothered by their underdog status even after clinching the top seed in the league. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 Working as a one-woman crew out of necessity creates a uniquely streamlined production process, freed from filmmaking constraints, so Loktev can focus on her subjects. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for constraints

Noun

The restrictions emerged just days after Trump admonished Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the press, calling on the leader to step down and hold wartime elections.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Officials say the deployment targets trafficking and cartel activity, but critics note crossings fell after asylum restrictions and much drug smuggling occurs through ports of entry.

— ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of restrictions

Noun

The bank still calls Nvidia the sector’s best risk-reward opportunity but warns that financing pressures, power shortages, and concentrated customers could threaten the buildout.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
The proposals come as local governments face rising costs, budget pressures and cuts to federal safety net programs.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of pressures

Noun

None of it feels remotely tied to the zeitgeist, instead showing an artist galvanized by their own out-there proclivities and exhilarated by the limitations of whatever ramshackle gear might be lying around a home studio.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
Ukraine’s Armed Forces learned about the Starshield terminals’ speed limitations from SpaceX customer support after filing a complaint about operational issues, and SpaceX provided no prior warning, according to the source.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of limitations

Noun

The real question is whether Pennsylvania and cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia want skill games and other gambling opportunities to be widespread and unavoidable for people who struggle with compulsions to gamble.

— Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
But per the Black List, the story follows an antisocial man suffering from obsessive compulsions who is haunted by the death of his hoarder mother.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of compulsions

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constraint

constraints

constrict

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“Constraints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constraints. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of constraints

noun

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