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Antonyms for constrain


Grammar : Verb
Spell : kuhn-streyn
Phonetic Transcription : kənˈstreɪn



Definition of constrain

Origin :
  • early 14c., constreyen, from stem of Old French constreindre (Modern French contraindre) "restrain, control," from Latin constringere "to bind together, tie tightly, fetter, shackle, chain," from com- "together" (see com-) + stringere "to draw tight" (see strain (v.)). Related: Constrained; constraining.
  • verb force; restrain
Example sentences :
  • I beg your pardon, but my brother; he shall not constrain me.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • Would you profit by the authority you possess over her to constrain her will?
  • Extract from : « One Of Them » by Charles James Lever
  • But only the vision of the Love that was willing to be broken for us can constrain us to be willing for that.
  • Extract from : « The Calvary Road » by Roy Hession
  • Masters were forbidden to constrain slaves to marry against their will.
  • Extract from : « The Journal of Negro History, Volume 3, 1918 » by Various
  • The hand of the bat has become so modified as to constrain the bat to live in the air.
  • Extract from : « Form and Function » by E. S. (Edward Stuart) Russell
  • A transport of joy fills her bosom with emotions she has no power to constrain.
  • Extract from : « An Outcast » by F. Colburn Adams
  • Christopher will have to conquer and constrain all these,—if he be able.
  • Extract from : « Past and Present » by Thomas Carlyle
  • None did awake them, none did offer to constrain them to eat, drink, nor do any other thing.
  • Extract from : « Mother Earth, Vol. 1 No. 1, March 1906 » by Various
  • For it is not in any man's power to constrain thee to transgress against him.
  • Extract from : « Meditations » by Marcus Aurelius
  • Where is the power to constrain them and to secure to the State its dues?
  • Extract from : « The Origins of Contemporary France, Volume 2 (of 6) » by Hippolyte A. Taine

Synonyms for constrain

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