Antonyms for constraint


Grammar : Noun
Spell : kuhn-streynt
Phonetic Transcription : kənˈstreɪnt


Definition of constraint

Origin :
  • late 14c., "distress, oppression," from Old French constreinte "binding, constraint, compulsion" (Modern French contrainte), fem. noun from constreint, past participle of constreindre, from Vulgar Latin *constrinctus, from Latin constrictus (see constrain). Meaning "coercion, compulsion" is from 1530s.
  • noun force
  • noun shyness
  • noun restriction
Example sentences :
  • The lawyer's face sobered, and his tone as he answered was tinged with constraint.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • But then there was constraint in the correspondence—it was submitted to her mother.
  • Extract from : « Night and Morning, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • But, placid as she was, my mother was authoritative, and could not endure any kind of constraint.
  • Extract from : « My Double Life » by Sarah Bernhardt
  • Vere felt that somehow her eager suggestion had deepened the constraint.
  • Extract from : « A Spirit in Prison » by Robert Hichens
  • At length the clerk came up to him with awkward manners and a look of constraint.
  • Extract from : « The Christian » by Hall Caine
  • "She is going to Bishopsgate Street," thought Glory, and they separated with constraint.
  • Extract from : « The Christian » by Hall Caine
  • When with him she was under a constraint as inexplicable to her as it was annoying.
  • Extract from : « A Forest Hearth: A Romance of Indiana in the Thirties » by Charles Major
  • He paused, and was awkwardly conscious of constraint in the silence which ensued.
  • Extract from : « The Market-Place » by Harold Frederic
  • But if you will not do it willingly, you shall do it from constraint.
  • Extract from : « The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained » by Martin Luther
  • There was no confusion, not even a semblance of constraint about her.
  • Extract from : « The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. I (of II) » by Charles James Lever

Synonyms for constraint

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019