The meaning of CONSTRAIN is to force by imposed stricture, restriction, or limitation. How to use constrain in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Constrain.

CONSTRAINED definition: 1. forced to do something against your will: 2. Constrained behaviour is forced and unnatural: 3…. Learn more.

Constrained definition: forced, compelled, or obliged.. See examples of CONSTRAINED used in a sentence.

Something that's constrained is forced, unnatural and not very spontaneous — kind of like a linebacker trying to perform the ballet Swan Lake. Constrained contains the word strained for a …

be/feel constrained to do something The evidence was so compelling that he felt constrained to accept it. The company said that it was constrained to raise prices.

Definition of 'constrained' constrained in British English (kənˈstreɪnd ) adjective embarrassed, unnatural, or forced

To produce in a forced or inhibited manner: "This smile seemed to touch something off in her ... and playfully she constrained her own roguish smile" (Naeem Murr).

Synonyms for CONSTRAINED: restrained, inhibited, repressed, disciplined, orderly, controllable, curbed, manageable; Antonyms of CONSTRAINED: intractable, contrary, refractory, …

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025 con•strained (kən strānd′), adj. forced, compelled, or obliged: a constrained confession. stiff or unnatural; …

CONSTRAIN meaning: 1. to control and limit something: 2. to control and limit something: 3. to limit someone's…. Learn more.