constrain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But it warned that "if instability in the Middle East persists, rising costs, delays and limited transport capacity are likely to constrain humanitarian operations further."

From BBC • May 2, 2026

With negotiations reaching a standstill, the market is weighing the possibility of a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which could continue to physically constrain the global crude supply, he writes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Some have backed the administration's handling of the conflict, while others -- though uneasy about the lack of congressional oversight -- have stopped short of supporting measures that could constrain military operations.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Getting crosswise with public opinion is sometimes enough to constrain a president.

From Slate • Apr. 8, 2026

The term ‘relativism’ is contentious, but I use it, rather than ‘constructivism’, because I want to refer to those who hold that reality does not constrain the beliefs we can hold about the real world.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton