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constraint

constraint

22 4.6
A thing that stops or controls movement to keep people and machines safe
  • noun
  • /kənˈstreɪnt/
translation icon : limitación
  • Financial constraints often limit the options available for starting a new business.
  • budget constraint
  • time constraint
  • social constraint

People were freed from the constraints of the party line.

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Examples

  • When he wasn't in pain, he acted normally, albeit within the constraints of his weakened condition.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • We merry band, unbound by the constraints of society and the prejudices of the common ruck.

  • What was typically seen as as a constraint is now a strength.

  • Yes, well, they still have physical constraint they can use, right?

  • The problem then is knowing when the constraint no longer serves you.

  • People were freed from the constraints of the party line.

  • They're worried about supply chain constraints causing inflation.

  • The physical environment is a major constraint on land-based activities in Limpopo.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Because of economic and political constraints, the universal provision of piped water is not currently feasible.

    Academic text (2008)
  • To date, China has steadfastly refused to even contemplate binding constraints on its greenhouse gas emissions.

    Academic text (2008)

Synonyms

restriction
vsconstraint
340 3.0

A rule or action that limits what you can do

also covers physical and forceful limits beyond rules or situations
chain
vsconstraint
199 5.6

Something that limits a person's freedom or progress

can also be forceful or physical limits rather than mere circumstances
limitation
vsconstraint
167 3.3

A condition that stops a person or thing from doing more

focuses on limiting action rather than implying a personal shortcoming
confinement
vsconstraint
80 5.9

A state of being kept in a small closed space and unable to move freely

is more general, covering non-spatial rules and forceful limits too
restraint
vsconstraint
44 3.9

A rule or measure that limits what people can do

covers physical or forceful limits as well as rules or measures
stricture
vsconstraint
8 7.7

A rule that limits what people can do

is broader, including non-rule and physical limits beyond formal conditions
straitjacket
vsconstraint
7 7.5

A situation that greatly limits freedom and progress

is less severe, covering normal limits without implying extreme loss of freedom
bridle
vsconstraint
2 7.0

Something that limits a person's actions or power

is more general, covering any limit including rules and physical force
restrictor
vsconstraint
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A device that limits how much something moves or flows

is broader, applying to rules or situations as well as devices

Antonyms

1.0

The right to act, speak, or think as you want without being stopped

9 3.2

The freedom to act, speak, or think without unnecessary restriction

Compounds

budget constraint
  • Specialized
4 4.0

A limit on how much money you can spend

How Restrictive

barrier
309 3.7
restriction
340 3.0
constraint
22 4.6
restraint
73 4.7
limit
738 1.4

Surface Forms

constraint singular
constraints plural

Morphology

constraint = constrain (semi-transparent) = constrain + t

The noun is clearly related to 'constrain', but the -t nominal form is not a productive pattern for most learners and the exact noun meaning must be inferred.

Etymology

Constraint comes from old Latin parts con- ('together') and stringere ('to tighten'), and you can think of it like the English word string holding things fast; imagine strings pulled tight to stop movement. So a constraint is something that holds or limits physical movement.