ZebraWords.com - The Definition of 'Constrained', Synonyms of 'Constrained' & More on 'Constrained'

1. WordNet® 3.0 (2006)

constrained
    adj 1: lacking spontaneity; not natural; "a constrained smile";
           "forced heartiness"; "a strained smile" [syn:
           constrained, forced, strained]

2. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Constrain \Con*strain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Constrained; p.
   pr. & vb. n. Constraining.] [OF. constraindre, F.
   contrainde, L. constringere; con- + stringere to draw tight.
   See Strain, and. cf. Constrict, Constringe.]
   1. To secure by bonds; to chain; to bond or confine; to hold
      tightly; to constringe.
      [1913 Webster]

            He binds in chains
            The drowsy prophet, and his limbs constrains.
                                                  --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

            When winter frosts constrain the fields with cold.
                                                  --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To bring into a narrow compass; to compress.
      [1913 Webster]

            How the strait stays the slender waist constrain.
                                                  --Gay.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To hold back by force; to restrain; to repress.
      [1913 Webster]

            My sire in caves constrains the winds. --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. To compel; to force; to necessitate; to oblige.
      [1913 Webster]

            The love of Christ constraineth us.   --2. Cor. v.
                                                  14.
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            I was constrained to appeal unto C[ae]sar. --Acts
                                                  xxviii. 19.
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   5. To violate; to ravish. [Obs.] --Shak.
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   6. To produce in such a manner as to give an unnatural
      effect; as, a constrained voice.

   Syn: To compel; force; drive; impel; urge; press.
        [1913 Webster]

3. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Constrained \Con*strained"\, a.
   Marked by constraint; not free; not voluntary; embarrassed;
   as, a constrained manner; a constrained tone.
   [1913 Webster]

Thesaurus Results for constrained:

1. Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

Olympian, aloof, arrested, backward, bashful, blank, bridled, chastened, chilled, chilly, cold, controlled, cool, curbed, detached, discreet, distant, expressionless, forbidding, frigid, frosty, guarded, hushed, icy, impassive, impersonal, in check, in control, in hand, in leading strings, in remission, inaccessible, incommunicable, inhibited, introverted, limited, modest, noncommittal, offish, on leash, pent-up, quelled, quiet, remote, removed, repressed, reserved, restrained, retarded, reticent, retiring, shrinking, slowed down, softened, stable, standoff, standoffish, subdued, suppressed, tempered, unaffable, unapproachable, uncongenial, undemonstrative, under control, under discipline, under restraint, unexpansive, ungenial, withdrawn

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