constraints
Limits on freedom
Constraints are limitations or restrictions that bound what's possible.
Physical constraints govern what materials can do; budget constraints limit spending; time constraints restrict how long you have.
The word implies external forces rather than personal choices: We're working under tight constraints.
In technical fields, constraints are conditions a solution must satisfy.
Limitations on action
- barriersThings blocking access
- limitationsImposed or inherent bounds
- obstaclesThings in the way
- impedimentsThings that obstruct progress
hindrances · boundaries · bounds · curbs · checks · encumbrances · handicaps · bottlenecks
Things that hold back
- chainsLinked metal restraints
- shacklesMetal bonds for prisoners
- handcuffsLocking wrist restraints
- cuffsSleeve or wrist bands
fetters · manacles · bonds · straitjackets · leashes · confinement · binding · tethers
Mathematical equality statements
- inequalitiesUnequal conditions or distributions
- variablesChangeable elements in equations
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- boundsEdges or leaps
functions · algorithms · feasibility · minima · maxima · domains · ranges · conditions
Confirming truth or accuracy
- parametersDefined boundaries or constraints
- assertionsStatements presented as true
- typesVarieties or key-enters
- schemasConceptual organizing structures
rules · dependencies · interfaces · contracts · invariants · preconditions · sanitization · enforcement
Enforced rules and standards
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- statutesFormally enacted laws
- ordinancesLocal government rules
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
mandates · codes · injunctions · decrees · stipulations · provisions · requirements · obligations
Sustaining structural mass
- structuralRelating to building framework
- tolerancesAllowable limits of variation
- specificationsStated requirements and parameters
- clearancesAuthorizations or space allowances
stress · tension · compression · strain · load · torque · shear · deformation
Submission cutoff times
- schedulesPlanned sequences of events
- timeframesDesignated periods for action
- windowsGlass-filled wall openings
- cutoffsJeans trimmed into shorts
milestones · timelines · turnaround · time-limits · expiration · duration
restrictions
Limitations on action
- barriersThings blocking access
- limitationsImposed or inherent bounds
- obstaclesThings in the way
impediments · hindrances · boundaries · bounds · curbs · checks · encumbrances · handicaps · bottlenecks · ceilings
restraints
Things that hold back
cuffs · fetters · manacles · bonds · straitjackets · leashes · confinement · binding · tethers · harness
equations
Mathematical equality statements
- inequalitiesUnequal conditions or distributions
- variablesChangeable elements in equations
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
bounds · functions · algorithms · feasibility · minima · maxima · domains · ranges · conditions · parameters
validation
Confirming truth or accuracy
- parametersDefined boundaries or constraints
- assertionsStatements presented as true
- typesVarieties or key-enters
schemas · rules · dependencies · interfaces · contracts · invariants · preconditions · sanitization · enforcement
regulations
Enforced rules and standards
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- statutesFormally enacted laws
- ordinancesLocal government rules
legislation · mandates · codes · injunctions · decrees · stipulations · provisions · requirements · obligations · prohibitions
load-bearing
Sustaining structural mass
- structuralRelating to building framework
- tolerancesAllowable limits of variation
- specificationsStated requirements and parameters
clearances · stress · tension · compression · strain · load · torque · shear · deformation · yield
deadlines
Submission cutoff times
- schedulesPlanned sequences of events
- timeframesDesignated periods for action
- windowsGlass-filled wall openings
cutoffs · milestones · timelines · turnaround · time-limits · expiration · duration
- federal budgetfederal budget, appropriations, deficit, national budget, surplus
- AI systemsexpert systems, knowledge base, inference, knowledge bases, fuzzy logic
- ER diagramsentity, entities, relationship, relationships, attribute
- optimal controlfeedback control, controllability, boundary conditions, necessary conditions, Lagrange multipliers
- systems thinkingfeedback loops, rules, goals, structure, parameters
- Limitationsflaws, defects, bugs, glitches, restrictions
constraintspermissions
Official allowances granted
allowances · authorizations · entitlements · privileges · rights
constraintsopenness
Quality of being accessible
boundlessness · infinite possibilities · expansiveness · spaciousness · open-endedness
- time constraintsLimits on duration
- budget constraintsLimits on spending capacity
- financial constraintsMonetary restrictions on resources
- budgetary constraintsSpending boundaries from limited funds
- legal constraintsLaw-imposed restrictions
constraint, constrain, constrained, unconstrained, constraining, constrains