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   Con·strain

   /kənˈstrān/

   

   verb

   • 1. compel or force (someone) to follow a particular course of action: "children are constrained to work in the way the book dictates" Similar compelforcecoercedriveimpelobligeprevail onrequirepresspushpressurepressurizeurgebullydragoonbrowbeatinformal:railroadbulldozesteamrollerhustletwist someone's armstrong-armlean onput the screws on
   • ▪ severely restrict the scope, extent, or activity of: "agricultural development is considerably constrained by climate" Similar restrictlimitcurbcheckrestrainregulatecontainhold backkeep down
   • ▪ bring about (something) by compulsion: "Calypso in her caves constrained his stay"
   • ▪ confine forcibly; imprison: "the walls are high, the gates are strong, but true love never yet was thus constrained" Similar confinerestrainrestrictimpedehamstringbalkfrustratestiflehinderhampercheckretardcramprein inshut inhem infence inclose inlock incoop upchainlock upimprisonincarcerateinternliterary:trammel

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French constraindre, from Latin constringere ‘bind tightly together’.

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • C

     3

   • O

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   • N

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   • S

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   • T

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   • R

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   • A

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   • I

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