What does Constrain mean?

Definitions for Constrain
kənˈstreɪncon·strain

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Constrain.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. restrain, encumber, cumber, constrainverb

    hold back

  2. stiffen, tighten, tighten up, constrainverb

    restrict

    "Tighten the rules"; "stiffen the regulations"

Wiktionary

  1. constrainverb

    to force physically, by strong persuasion or pressurizing; to compel; to oblige

  2. constrainverb

    to keep within close bounds; to confine

  3. constrainverb

    to reduce a result in response to limited resources

  4. Etymology: constraindre, ultimately from constringō. Compare contraindre.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. To CONSTRAINverb

    Etymology: constraindre, Fr. constringo, Latin.

    Thy sight, which should
    Make our eyes flow with joy,
    Constrains them weep. William Shakespeare, Coriolanus.

    My sire in caves constrains the winds,
    Can with a breath their clam’rous rage appease;
    They fear his whistle, and forsake the seas. Dryden.

    The scars upon your honour, therefore, he
    Does pity as constrained blemishes,
    Nothing deserv’d. William Shakespeare, Anthony and Cleopatra.

    When to his lust Ægysthus gave the rein,
    Did fate or we th’ adult’rous act constrain? Alexander Pope, Odyssey.

    Her spotless chastity,
    Inhuman traitors, you constrain’d and forc’d. William Shakespeare, Tit. And.

    How the strait stays the slender waste constrain? John Gay.

ChatGPT

  1. constrain

    To constrain is to restrict or limit someone or something, preventing them from moving freely, acting independently, or developing naturally. It often involves imposing control, rules, or boundaries. It can also refer to compel or force someone towards a particular course of action.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Constrainverb

    to secure by bonds; to chain; to bond or confine; to hold tightly; to constringe

  2. Constrainverb

    to bring into a narrow compass; to compress

  3. Constrainverb

    to hold back by force; to restrain; to repress

  4. Constrainverb

    to compel; to force; to necessitate; to oblige

  5. Constrainverb

    to violate; to ravish

  6. Constrainverb

    to produce in such a manner as to give an unnatural effect; as, a constrained voice

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Constrain

    kon-strān′, v.t. to urge with irresistible power: to force, compel: to distress: to confine: to limit: to cause constraint.—adj. Constrain′able.—p.adj. Constrained′, forced, compelled: embarrassed.—adv. Constrain′edly.—n. Constraint′, irresistible force: compulsion: confinement: repression of one's feelings: embarrassment. [O. Fr. constraindre—L. constringĕrecon, together, stringĕre, to press. See Strain.]

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

Anagrams for Constrain »

  1. consarn it

  2. introscan

  3. non-racist

  4. nonracist

  5. transonic

How to pronounce Constrain?

How to say Constrain in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of Constrain in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of Constrain in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of Constrain in a Sentence

  1. Ankit Panda:

    A robust Saudi missile program would introduce new challenges to constraining other missile programs in the region. To take just one example, Iran's missiles, which are a major concern to the U.S., would be more difficult to constrain in the future without parallel constraints on a growing Saudi program.

  2. Christen Kuikoua:

    At times, one must possess a certain audacity, as I do, to choose as a leader one who defies the weight of convention, challenging the very forces that seek to constrain

  3. Puok Both Baluang:

    We will not fall only for the position of the First Vice President in this negotiation. We are focusing more on structural and institutional issues to constrain Kiir's regime both in the executive and legislature.

  4. James Kane:

    It’s a signal of intent that they want to be involved in that region more politically, economically, militarily, there is a sort of grand vision of the UK as a balancing power, helping to stabilise the Asia-Pacific region, and constructing rules to constrain the rise of China.

  5. Erik Gordon:

    I think its only a matter of time before the nuclear option is invoked and upheld because Musk just will not constrain himself.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

Constrain#10000#31363#100000

Translations for Constrain

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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"Constrain." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Constrain>.

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