constrained
Use Constrained in a sentence
adjective
1.
forced, compelled, or obliged: a constrained confession.
2.
stiff or unnatural; uneasy or embarrassed: a constrained manner.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
verb (used with object)
1.
to force, compel, or oblige: He was constrained to admit the offense.
2.
to confine forcibly, as by bonds.
3.
to repress or restrain: Cold weather constrained the plant's growth.
Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English constrei(g)nen < Anglo-French, Middle French constrei(g)n- (stem of constreindre) < Latin constringere. See con-, strain1
1275–1325; Middle English constrei(g)nen < Anglo-French, Middle French constrei(g)n- (stem of constreindre) < Latin constringere. See con-, strain1
Related forms
con·strain·a·ble, adjective
con·strain·er, noun
con·strain·ing·ly, adverb
non·con·strain·ing, adjective
un·con·strain·a·ble, adjective
Synonyms
1. coerce. 2. check, bind.
1. coerce. 2. check, bind.
Antonyms
2. free.
2. free.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To constrained
00:10
Constrained
is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
constrain (kənˈstreɪn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to compel or force, esp by persuasion, circumstances, etc; oblige |
| 2. | to restrain by or as if by force; confine |
| [C14: from Old French constreindre, from Latin constringere to bind together, from stringere to bind] | |
| con'strainer | |
| —n | |
| constrained (kənˈstreɪnd) | |
| —adj | |
| embarrassed, unnatural, or forced: a constrained smile | |
| constrainedly | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
constrain
mid-14c., from stem of O.Fr. constreindre, from L. constringere "to bind together, tie tightly," from com- "together" + stringere "to draw tight" (see strain (v.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
The first thing you need to know about mosasaur evolution is that the way they swam was constrained by their anatomy.
Finding where to block the actions of the proteins could keep people from gorging by keeping the stomach constrained.
Traditional wireless systems are constrained by the old hub-and-spoke model.
In an energy-constrained world worried about greenhouse gas emissions, desalination doesn't look that attractive.
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