constrained

UK: /kənˈstreɪnd/ US: /kənˈstreɪnd/ ,(kən strānd′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•strained /kənˈstreɪnd/   adj. 

1. forced;
   awkward;
   stiff:
   greeted the job candidate with a constrained smile.
2. forced to do something;
   compelled:
   [be/feel + ~ + to + verb] felt constrained to donate some money.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•strained  (kən strānd′), adj. 

1. forced, compelled, or obliged:
   a constrained confession.
2. stiff or unnatural; uneasy or embarrassed:
   a constrained manner.

• constrain + -ed² 1565–75

con•strain•ed•ly  (kən strā′nid lē), adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

constrained / kənˈstreɪnd/ adjective

1. embarrassed, unnatural, or forced: a constrained smile

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•strain /kənˈstreɪn/   v. [~ + object]

1. to make (someone) do something;
   compel:
   He was constrained to admit the offense.
2. to hold back;
   repress or restrain:
   He constrained his impulse to tell her the secret.

con•strain•a•ble, adj. 
con•strain•er, n. [countable]
con•strain•ing•ly, adv. See -strain-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•strain  (kən strān′), v.t. 

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.

• Latin constringere. See con-, strain¹
• Anglo-French, Middle French constrei(g)n- (stem of constreindre)
• Middle English constrei(g)nen 1275–1325

con•strain′a•ble, adj. 
con•strain′er, n. 
con•strain′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. coerce.
• 2. check, bind.

Antonyms

• 2. free.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

constrain / kənˈstreɪn/ verb (transitive)

1. to compel or force, esp by persuasion, circumstances, etc; oblige
2. to restrain by or as if by force; confine

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French constreindre, from Latin constringere to bind together, from stringere to bind

conˈstrainer noun