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to constrain

to constrain

64 5.6
To limit what someone can do or how they can act
  • verb
  • /kənˈstreɪn/
translation icon : restringir
  • She felt that her family's expectations would constrain her choices for a career path.
  • constrain the ability
  • constrain the growth
  • severely constrained

They constrain your ego, they constrain your powers.

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Examples

  • He wanted to make sure that we didn't bring in a whole new set of regulations to constrain the financial sector.

  • All these measures will never be enough to substantially constrain the growth of health-care costs on their own.

    Academic text (2011)
  • That can help constrain their search for a solution.

  • When people have more fear, they generally constrain their own spending.

  • You either constrain speech by rules or by culture.

  • But let's constrain the question a bit.

  • In other words, the default is that policies to constrain cost growth and improve quality will take effect.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In the past decade, progress has been further constrained by an acute economic crisis.

    Academic text (1990)
  • As water supplies become constrained, science can play an important role in managing water conflicts.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Indeed, intensive labor demand for harvesting was the key factor that constrained traditional scales of production.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

to hold
vsto constrain
1.9

To stop yourself from showing a feeling or reaction

adds idea of forcing choices or actions by narrowing options
to limit
vsto constrain
2.1

To control how much or how often something happens

is broader, also affecting choices and behaviour not only quantities
to restrict
vsto constrain
361 3.1

Limit how much people can use or access something

focuses on limiting choices to push actions rather than just controlling amounts
to compel
vsto constrain
258 4.8

Force someone to do something or make them feel they must

often differs by working through narrowing choices rather than direct physical pressure
to confine
vsto constrain
215 4.2

Keep someone or something within limits, for example in a small space

often instead limits choices and options to make someone act differently
to restrain
vsto constrain
86 4.6

Hold a person or thing so it cannot move freely

can also mean limiting options to shape behaviour rather than only blocking action
to curb
vsto constrain
73 3.5

To limit or control something to stop it getting worse

is broader, applying to forcing choices as well as merely reducing bad behaviour
to rein in
vsto constrain
53 4.6

To keep someone or something under control, for example by limiting spending

focuses on narrowing choices rather than the literal act of pulling back reins
to shackle
vsto constrain
35 6.2

To restrain someone with chains or limit their freedom

is broader, often about narrowing choices rather than applying physical chains
to hold down
vsto constrain
22 3.2

To keep something low and stop it from getting bigger

often implies narrowing options to cause behaviour change rather than only preventing growth
to tie down
vsto constrain
17 4.7

To limit someone's freedom because they have responsibilities

is more about limiting options directly rather than causing long term obligations
to clamp down on
vsto constrain
13 5.3

Take strong action to stop something bad or illegal

is more general, focusing on narrowed choices rather than formal enforcement measures
to encumber
vsto constrain
9 7.6

To make it difficult for someone or something to act

typically focuses on narrowing choices rather than adding weight or burden
to box in
vsto constrain
8 4.7

To stop a person or thing from moving, acting freely and making choices

may instead restrict options more generally without physical enclosure
to circumscribe
vsto constrain
  • Formal
6 8.1

To keep something within certain limits

is broader because it can also narrow choices to cause specific actions
to tie someone's hands
vsto constrain
1 4.8

Stop someone from acting or making decisions

can also refer to limiting choices indirectly rather than direct removal of decision power
to clip the wings
vsto constrain
  • Informal
1 7.2

To limit someone's freedom, power, or plans

often focuses more on limiting options to force decisions rather than weakening power
to bind hand and foot
vsto constrain
  • Informal
1 8.0

To stop someone completely from acting freely

often differs by implying narrowed options rather than full physical immobilisation

Antonyms

104 4.3

Set someone free from prison or unfair control

How Restrictive

to force
2.3
to coerce
  • Offensive
91 6.4
to constrain
64 5.6
to restrict
361 3.1
to limit
2.1

Surface Forms

constrain infinitive
constraining present participle
constrains third person singular
constrained past participle

Morphology

constrain = strain (semi-transparent) = con + strain

The form 'con' + 'strain' is historically and formally transparent, but the shift to the meaning 'force/restrict' is not fully obvious to an average B1 learner from 'strain' alone.

Etymology

Constrain comes from Latin parts con- meaning 'together' and stringere meaning 'to bind' or 'to draw tight', and it shares this idea with the everyday word string. So to constrain someone is like 'tying' or 'tightening' them, which explains why it means to limit or force someone by reducing their options.