'Constrain' definitions:
Definition of 'constrain'
From: WordNet
Definition of 'Constrain'
From: GCIDE
- Constrain \Con*strain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Constrained; p. pr. & vb. n. Constraining.] [OF. constraindre, F. contrainde, L. constringere; con- + stringere to draw tight. See Strain, and. cf. Constrict, Constringe.]
- 1. To secure by bonds; to chain; to bond or confine; to hold tightly; to constringe. [1913 Webster]
- He binds in chains The drowsy prophet, and his limbs constrains. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
- When winter frosts constrain the fields with cold. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To bring into a narrow compass; to compress. [1913 Webster]
- How the strait stays the slender waist constrain. --Gay. [1913 Webster]
- 3. To hold back by force; to restrain; to repress. [1913 Webster]
- My sire in caves constrains the winds. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
- 4. To compel; to force; to necessitate; to oblige. [1913 Webster]
- The love of Christ constraineth us. --2. Cor. v. 14. [1913 Webster]
- I was constrained to appeal unto C[ae]sar. --Acts xxviii. 19. [1913 Webster]
- 5. To violate; to ravish. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 6. To produce in such a manner as to give an unnatural effect; as, a constrained voice.
- Syn: To compel; force; drive; impel; urge; press. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'constrain'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- abate,
- abridge,
- abstain,
- aggrieve,
- allay,
- alleviate,
- arrest,
- assuage,
- attemper,
- ban,
- bank the fire,
- bar,
- bastille,
- bear,
- bind,
- bit,
- blunt,
- bottle up,
- box up,
- bridle,
- cage,
- cause,
- cause to,
- chasten,
- check,
- cloister,
- coerce,
- compel,
- concuss,
- confine,
- contain,
- control,
- cool,
- cool off,
- coop,
- coop in,
- coop up,
- cork up,
- crib,
- crowd,
- crush,
- curb,
- curtail,
- damp,
- dampen,
- de-emphasize,
- deaden,
- decelerate,
- deprive,
- detain,
- dictate,
- diminish,
- disallow,
- dompt,
- downplay,
- drive,
- dull,
- encage,
- enclose,
- enforce,
- enjoin,
- extenuate,
- fence in,
- force,
- govern,
- grieve,
- guard,
- have,
- hem in,
- hinder,
- hold,
- hold at bay,
- hold back,
- hold down,
- hold fast,
- hold in,
- hold in check,
- hold in custody,
- hold in leash,
- hold in restraint,
- hold up,
- hurt,
- immure,
- impel,
- impound,
- incarcerate,
- inhibit,
- injure,
- insist upon,
- intern,
- jail,
- jam,
- jug,
- keep,
- keep back,
- keep from,
- keep in,
- keep in check,
- keep in custody,
- keep in detention,
- keep under control,
- keep within bounds,
- lay,
- lay under restraint,
- lenify,
- lessen,
- lighten,
- make,
- mew,
- mew up,
- mitigate,
- moderate,
- modulate,
- necessitate,
- oblige,
- obtund,
- pain,
- palliate,
- pen,
- pen up,
- play down,
- pound,
- prison,
- prohibit,
- pull,
- pull in,
- push,
- quod,
- rail in,
- reduce,
- reduce the temperature,
- refrain,
- rein,
- rein in,
- restrain,
- restrict,
- retard,
- retrench,
- seal up,
- set back,
- shackle,
- shotgun,
- shut in,
- shut up,
- slacken,
- slow down,
- smother,
- snub,
- sober,
- sober down,
- soften,
- squab,
- squash,
- squeeze,
- squish,
- stifle,
- straiten,
- subdue,
- suppress,
- tame,
- temper,
- tie,
- tone down,
- tune down,
- underplay,
- use force upon,
- wall in,
- weaken,
- withhold