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Glite Dictionary
constrained

constrained

5 6.7
Looks or sounds unnatural because someone is holding back
  • adjective
  • /kənˈstreɪnd/
: forzado
  • Her smile was constrained, revealing her discomfort at the formal event.

She, the, the, the cognition was really, you know, constrained at that stage.

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Examples

  • His letters are constrained by a sort of requirement of brevity.

  • So that's five hours a day that women and girls are potentially constrained to be at home.

  • It's it's just that we're very constrained in doing so.

  • Well, my point is because we are all constrained by the actual reality that we all share.

  • You have to create a chain of command in which people do not feel constrained by your influence, yet follow your lead.

  • Well, I think that it's ultimately we're constrained inevitably by the resources that we have.

  • But thanks to Brexit, we're no longer constrained by EU law.

  • You can't do that when you're constantly constrained with contending with the stereotypes.

  • The artist's creativity felt constrained by the strict guidelines set by the competition.

  • He gave a constrained apology, unable to express his true feelings.

Synonyms

controlled
vsconstrained
239 3.4

Kept within limits by careful management

is about looking forced or held back rather than being under formal rules
forced
vsconstrained
174 3.4

Done because someone makes you do it, not because you want to

is about seeming artificial or held back rather than caused by outside compulsion
strained
vsconstrained
36 4.2

Appearing not natural and tense, often like a forced smile

is more about appearing awkwardly held back rather than only tense
restrained
vsconstrained
26 5.3

Calm and controlled, not strong or showy

is more about appearing unnatural or held back, not calm control
inhibited
vsconstrained
12 6.0

Unable to act naturally because you feel shy or embarrassed

is more about seeming artificial or forced rather than inner shyness
constricted
vsconstrained
9 5.2

Made narrower or tighter by pressure

focuses on appearing unnatural or held back rather than physical narrowing

Antonyms

spontaneous
169 4.2

Happening naturally without planning or outside cause

unrestrained
13 5.7

Not held back and showing strong feelings or actions

How Natural

spontaneous
169 4.2
natural
426 1.0
awkward
37 3.0
stiff
134 1.7
constrained
5 6.7
unnatural
97 4.1

Surface Forms

constrained positive

Morphology

constrained = constrain (transparent) = constrain + ed

Formed from the verb 'constrain' with the participial/adjectival suffix '-ed', and the adjective's meaning is directly derived from the verb's sense of being restricted.

Etymology

Constrained comes from the parts con- meaning 'together' and string meaning 'to tie', the same idea behind the words string and strain. So, to be constrained is like being 'tied' or held back, which is why a constrained smile or action feels forced and not natural.