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Constrain: meaning, definitions and examples

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constrain

 

[kənˈstreɪn ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

to limit

To constrain means to compel or force someone to follow a particular course of action. It involves imposing restrictions or limitations on someone or something.

Synonyms

limit, restrain, restrict.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
constrain

Used when someone or something is being forced or limited unnaturally or uncomfortably.

  • The budget constraints have forced the company to cut down on its expenses.
  • She felt constrained by the demands of her job.
restrict

Used to put specific rules or regulations in place to lessen the freedom or ability of something/someone.

  • The airport has new policies to restrict the size of carry-on luggage.
  • Their movements were restricted due to the quarantine rules.
limit

Used to set a boundary or an upper/lower extent to something.

  • You need to limit your sugar intake for better health.
  • The school set a limit on the number of participants.
restrain

Used to hold back or keep something under control, often physically or emotionally. This term can imply a sense of effort or struggle.

  • The police had to restrain the aggressive man.
  • She tried hard to restrain her laughter.

Examples of usage

  • He felt constrained by the rules of the organization.
  • She was constrained to make a decision under pressure.
Context #2 | Verb

to restrict

To constrain also means to restrict or confine someone or something within certain limits. It can refer to keeping something within bounds or preventing it from exceeding a certain level.

Synonyms

confine, limit, restrain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
constrain

Use 'constrain' when referring to restrictions or limitations imposed by external factors or circumstances. It often implies a force or pressure that limits freedom of action.

  • The tight deadline constrained their ability to be creative.
  • Financial constraints made it difficult for the project to proceed.
limit

Use 'limit' to speak about setting a maximum boundary or restriction on the extent or amount of something. It can refer to time, quantity, or scope.

  • You should limit your intake of sugary drinks.
  • The speed limit on this road is 60 km/h.
restrain

Use 'restrain' to refer to holding back or controlling actions, emotions, or physical movements. It often involves self-control or external control to prevent certain behaviors.

  • She had to restrain herself from shouting in anger.
  • The guard restrained the angry customer.
confine

Use 'confine' when talking about keeping someone or something within certain bounds, usually physical spaces or limits. It can also imply restriction in terms of freedom or scope.

  • The prisoner was confined to his cell.
  • Please confine your comments to the topic at hand.

Examples of usage

  • The budget constraints forced us to cut back on expenses.
  • She felt constrained by the lack of resources.
Context #3 | Noun

mathematics

In mathematics, a constraint is a condition that a solution must satisfy in order to be valid. It is a limitation or restriction placed on the variables or parameters of a problem.

Synonyms

condition, limitation, restriction.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
constrain

This word is often used to describe the action of limiting someone's freedom or ability to do something. It can refer to physical, financial, or legal limitations.

  • Budget constraints forced the company to reconsider its plans.
  • The new regulations constrain the ability of farmers to use certain pesticides.
limitation

This word describes the inherent restrictions or weaknesses of something or someone. It often refers to boundaries that can't be exceeded.

  • One limitation of this software is its inability to process large files.
  • He is aware of his physical limitations.
restriction

This term denotes specific rules or regulations that limit what people can do. Often used in a regulatory, legal, or policy context, it can carry a mildly negative connotation.

  • There are restrictions on the number of bags you can bring on the plane.
  • The city has implemented new parking restrictions.
condition

This term typically refers to a requirement or stipulation that needs to be met. It can also describe the state of something, particularly in terms of health or quality.

  • The sale of the house is subject to the condition that the buyer secures financing within 30 days.
  • Her medical condition requires regular treatment.

Examples of usage

  • The optimization problem had several constraints that needed to be considered.
  • The constraints of the equation were taken into account in the solution.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'constringere', meaning to bind together or tighten.
  • In Old French, the term evolved to 'constraindre', which also implies forcing or limiting actions.
  • The prefix 'con-' means 'together', while 'strain' refers to pulling or stretching.

Psychology

  • Constrain is often used in behavior studies, where limits can affect choices and actions.
  • Research shows that setting constraints can help individuals focus and be more productive.
  • In cognitive psychology, constraints can influence decision-making by limiting options.

Mathematics

  • In mathematics, constraints define the limitations within which a problem must be solved.
  • Linear programming, a method for optimizing a particular outcome, relies heavily on setting various constraints.
  • Inequalities often describe constraints in a graphical representation, outlining feasible regions for solutions.

Art and Literature

  • Writers sometimes use constraints like sonnets or haikus to foster creativity within limits.
  • In visual arts, constraints in technique or materials can lead to innovative expressions and styles.
  • Many famous artists embraced constraints, using them to push their creativity to new heights.

Technology

  • In software development, constraints are used to ensure systems operate within set parameters to avoid errors.
  • Data constraints help maintain data integrity in databases by enforcing rules on what data can be entered.
  • Constraint programming is a paradigm that focuses on solving problems by specifying constraints that need to be satisfied.

Translations

Translations of the word "constrain" in other languages:

🇵🇹 restringir

🇮🇳 सीमित करना

🇩🇪 einschränken

🇮🇩 membatasi

🇺🇦 обмежувати

🇵🇱 ograniczać

🇯🇵 制限する (せいげんする)

🇫🇷 restreindre

🇪🇸 restringir

🇹🇷 sınırlamak

🇰🇷 제한하다

🇸🇦 تقييد

🇨🇿 omezit

🇸🇰 obmedziť

🇨🇳 限制 (xiànzhì)

🇸🇮 omejiti

🇮🇸 takmarka

🇰🇿 шектеу

🇬🇪 შეზღუდვა

🇦🇿 məhdudlaşdırmaq

🇲🇽 restringir

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,705, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.