adj C2 Proficient Uncommon

constrained

kuhn-STREHYND

Constrained (adj) means Limited, restricted, or kept within tight bounds. Example: “The budget left the team constrained in what it could build.”

adj

Limited, restricted, or kept within tight bounds.

"The budget left the team constrained in what it could build."

Forced or unnatural, as if under pressure.

"His constrained smile suggested he wasn't really enjoying the party."

How to use constrained

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHeld back or limited by rules, resources, or pressure.

Common pairings

financially constrained time-constrained feel constrained

more constrained comparative, most constrained superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The budget left the team _____ in what it could build.

lined mined gained joined ruined pained refined stained defined trained drained chained

What does “constrained” mean?

The word “constrained” means limited, restricted, or kept within tight bounds. In plain terms, held back or limited by rules, resources, or pressure.

How do you pronounce “constrained”?

“Constrained” is pronounced kuhn-STREHYND (/kənˈstɹeɪnd/ in IPA).

How do you use “constrained” in a sentence?

Here is “constrained” used in a sentence: “The budget left the team constrained in what it could build.”

What part of speech is “constrained”?

“Constrained” is an adjective.

Is “constrained” a common word?

“Constrained” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

How many meanings does “constrained” have?

“Constrained” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: limited, restricted, or kept within tight bounds.