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: forced, compelled, or obliged. See examples of constrained used in a sentence.

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

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.

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).

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

Definition of 'constrained' constrained in American English (kənˈstreɪnd ) adjective

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 reason.

We were constrained [= limited] by the short amount of time we had. Teenagers often feel constrained [= limited] by rules. She felt constrained [= (more commonly) felt compelled] to apologize for the harm …

Simple past tense and past participle of constrain. He snatched two more oranges before the magic constrained his movement. In 1752, constrained to secure some position in the world, he accepted a …