constraining
Keeping in check
Constraining is the present participle of constrain, meaning to restrict, limit, or hold back.
Something constraining prevents free movement or action: The constraining rules made innovation difficult.
A constraining factor limits what's possible.
The word often describes budgets, regulations, or social expectations that box people in.
Exercising power unjustly
- authoritarianFavoring absolute control
- despoticExercising absolute authority
- draconianExtremely harsh, especially laws
- heavy-handedClumsy and oppressive
overbearing · domineering · repressive · suffocating · stifling · inhibiting · smothering · burdensome
Firmly stretched or fitting
- corsetBoned waist-shaping undergarment
- cinchGuaranteed easy thing
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- squeezingPressing inward firmly
grip · clasp · tourniquet · straitjacket · binding · constricting · clamping · pinching
Confinement for offenders
- cageBarred confinement structure
- cellBasic unit of life
- shacklesMetal bonds for prisoners
- fetteredBound in chains
manacles · captivity · imprisonment · quarantine · isolation · confinement · detention · incarceration
To restrain or hinder
- curtailTo cut short
- restrainLimit freedom of movement
- suppressForcibly put an end to
- hamperObstruct or clothes basket
hinder · impede · obstruct · throttle · curb · check · bridle · contain
Shape's outer edge length
- borderOuter edge or limit
- fenceBoundary structure between properties
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
demarcation · partition · enclosure · threshold · limitation · margin · outline · cordon
Compel obedience to
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- obligeRequire or assist
- coerceObtain by intimidation
- pressureForce upon contact
dictate · impose · necessitate · require · demand · compel · command · direct
Official rules governing conduct
- parametersDefined boundaries or constraints
- guidelinesSuggested rules for behavior
- rulesPrinciples governing behavior
- specificationsStated requirements and parameters
standards · criteria · requirements · provisions · stipulations · conditions · mandates · protocols
tyrannical
Exercising power unjustly
- authoritarianFavoring absolute control
- despoticExercising absolute authority
- draconianExtremely harsh, especially laws
heavy-handed · overbearing · domineering · repressive · suffocating · stifling · inhibiting · smothering · burdensome · restrictive
tight
Firmly stretched or fitting
- corsetBoned waist-shaping undergarment
- cinchGuaranteed easy thing
- compressionForcing into smaller space
squeezing · grip · clasp · tourniquet · straitjacket · binding · constricting · clamping · pinching · gripping
prison
Confinement for offenders
fettered · manacles · captivity · imprisonment · quarantine · isolation · confinement · detention · incarceration · internment
inhibit
To restrain or hinder
hamper · hinder · impede · obstruct · throttle · curb · check · bridle · contain · hold back
perimeter
Shape's outer edge length
barrier · demarcation · partition · enclosure · threshold · limitation · margin · outline · cordon · curb
enforce
Compel obedience to
pressure · dictate · impose · necessitate · require · demand · compel · command · direct · govern
regulation
Official rules governing conduct
- parametersDefined boundaries or constraints
- guidelinesSuggested rules for behavior
- rulesPrinciples governing behavior
specifications · standards · criteria · requirements · provisions · stipulations · conditions · mandates · protocols · restrictions
- restrainingrestricting, limiting, confining, curbing, shackling
- leadershipleadership styles, leader, leadership skills, boss, leading
- overwhelmingoverwhelming, overpowering, crushing, engulfing, smothering
- coercionduress, coercing, compelling, threat, forcing
constrainingliberating
Setting free from constraint
freeing · releasing · emancipating · unbinding · loosening
constrainingenabling
Making something feasible
empowering · permitting · allowing · encouraging · facilitating
constrainingpermissive
Tolerant, lacking strictness
encouraging · lenient · tolerant · laissez-faire · indulgent
strain, strict, restrict, restriction, constraint, constrain, constrict, constrained, constriction