- To compel by physical, moral, or circumstantial force; oblige: felt constrained to object. See synonyms at force.
- To keep within close bounds; confine: a life that had been constrained by habit to the same few activities and friends.
- To inhibit or restrain; hold back: “Failing to control the growth of international debt will also constrain living standards” (Ronald Brownstein).
- To produce in a forced or inhibited manner.
[Middle English constreinen, from Old French constraindre, constraign-, from Latin cōnstringere, to restrain, compress : com-, com- + stringere, to bind, press together.]
constrainable con·strain'a·ble adj.constrainedly con·strain'ed·ly (-strā'nĭd-lē) adv.
constrainer con·strain'er n.




