constrained
Not freely moving
Constrained means restricted or limited by external forces or conditions.
A constrained budget limits spending options.
Constrained movement suggests physical restriction.
Someone acting in a constrained manner appears stiff or unnatural, holding back their true feelings or impulses: Her smile seemed constrained.
In technical contexts, a constrained system operates within defined boundaries or rules.
Of small width
- finiteHaving definite bounds
- scarceIn short supply
- curtailedCut short prematurely
- boundedConfined within limits
meager · sparse · rationed · capped · tight · restricted · regulated · controlled
Made to occur unwillingly
- obligedBound to comply
- coercedPressured into compliance
- involuntaryNot under conscious control
- mandatoryRequired by rule
imposed · unwilling · dictated · pressured · obligated · duty-bound · beholden · required
Overwhelmed by pressure
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- rigidUnable to bend
- tightFirmly stretched or fitting
- strainedUnder uncomfortable tension
uneasy · nervous · uncomfortable · self-conscious · awkward · stilted · wooden · stiff
Relating to formal rites
- manneredArtificially formal in style
- stiffNot easily bent
- decorumFitting social conduct
- rigidUnable to bend
proper · reserved · restrained · guarded · measured · careful · diplomatic · polite
narrow
Of small width
bounded · meager · sparse · rationed · capped · tight · restricted · regulated · controlled · circumscribed
forced
Made to occur unwillingly
- obligedBound to comply
- coercedPressured into compliance
- involuntaryNot under conscious control
mandatory · imposed · unwilling · dictated · pressured · obligated · duty-bound · beholden · required · compulsory
stressed
Overwhelmed by pressure
strained · uneasy · nervous · uncomfortable · self-conscious · awkward · stilted · wooden · stiff · unnatural
ceremonial
Relating to formal rites
rigid · proper · reserved · restrained · guarded · measured · careful · diplomatic · polite · buttoned-up
enclosed
Surrounded and sealed within
- cagedConfined by bars
- imprisonedHeld in custody
- trappedUnable to escape
penned · boxed · cooped · locked · sealed · cloistered · immured · hemmed-in · cramped · claustrophobic
shackles
Metal bonds for prisoners
- fettersAnkle restraints, often metal
- chainsLinked metal restraints
- manaclesWrist shackles for prisoners
restraints · cuffs · handcuffs · bindings · tether · leash · yoke · hobble · trammel · straitjacket
- boundbound, tied, restrained, confined, restricted
- controlledcontrolled, managed, regulated, restrained, contained
- restrainedrestrained, reserved, subdued, controlled, muted
- necessitiesbasics, essentials, need, essential, needs
- uneasyanxious, nervous, jittery, edgy, tense
- wrongedabused, mistreated, victimized, exploited, oppressed
constrainedfree
Without payment or restriction
unconstrained · liberated · unrestricted · unbound · freed
constrainednatural
Not artificially produced
spontaneous · relaxed · unaffected · easy · easygoing
- budget constraintMaximum allowable expenditure