constraint

/kənˈstreɪnt/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈstreɪnt/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈstrānt/ (ame, mw)

constraint — noun

  • constraintsingular
  • constraintsplural

1. a limit or rule that prevents someone from acting freely or doing things exactly

1.名詞B2
釋義

a limit or rule that prevents someone from acting freely or doing things exactly as they would like

例句

Financial constraints forced the Watanabe family to cancel their summer holiday.

collocation: financial constraints

Time constraints meant that Daichi had only thirty minutes for the presentation.

collocation: time constraints

同義詞
  • restriction

    more direct and often implies a rule or law that forbids something

  • limitation

    focuses on a boundary or upper bound rather than a forbidding rule

  • curb

    stronger, suggests actively holding something back or reducing it

反義詞
  • freedom

    the absence of limits on what one can do

  • liberty

    the right to act without restriction

文法句型

constraint on something

constraint of something

用法筆記

Often combined with nouns such as budget, time, legal, or financial to specify the type of limit. The preposition 'on' commonly follows when naming what is restricted.

常見錯誤

❌There are too many constraints in this cake recipe.
✅There are too many steps in this cake recipe.
💡a constraint is a limit or restriction, not a step or ingredient.
❌I have a time constraint to finish my homework by 8pm.
✅I have a time constraint that means I must finish my homework by 8pm.
💡'constraint' names the limit, not the deadline itself.

2. behaviour that appears stiff, awkward, or unnatural because a person is trying t

2.名詞C1
釋義

behaviour that appears stiff, awkward, or unnatural because a person is trying too hard to control their emotions or actions in a social situation

例句

Talia spoke with a constraint that made her seem unfriendly to new colleagues.

pattern: speak with constraint

The constraint in Manuela's body language showed how nervous she felt.

pattern: constraint in body language

同義詞
  • restraint

    focuses on holding back or controlling oneself, less about social awkwardness

  • stiffness

    more physical in tone, often describes body language rather than atmosphere

  • formality

    less negative, describing polite but distant social rules rather than awkwardness

反義詞
  • naturalness

    the quality of behaving without effort or pretence

  • ease

    comfortable and relaxed behaviour in social settings

  • spontaneity

    acting on impulse without self-conscious control

文法句型

with constraint

constraint in something

用法筆記

Most common in formal writing about social interactions or psychological states. Usually uncountable — do not say 'a constraint' in this sense. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 refers to an external limit, while sense 2 describes a person's internal tension or awkwardness.

常見錯誤

❌His constraint at the dinner was funny.
✅His awkwardness at the dinner was funny.
💡constraint describes controlled, uncomfortable behaviour, not an amusing situation.
❌I felt a constraint to laugh at his joke.
✅I felt an urge to laugh at his joke.
💡constraint does not mean a sudden impulse.

3. a situation in which someone is forced to act against their will, usually throug

3.名詞B2
釋義

a situation in which someone is forced to act against their will, usually through pressure or threats from another person

例句

The confession was given under constraint and could not be used in court.

common phrase: under constraint (legal context)

No employee should be asked to work under constraint against their will.

同義詞
  • coercion

    stronger and more direct; often implies physical force or explicit threats

  • duress

    a legal term for threat-based compulsion that invalidates consent

  • compulsion

    broader, can refer to both external force and internal urge

反義詞
  • willingness

    acting voluntarily without pressure

  • consent

    agreement given freely without coercion

  • choice

    the ability to decide freely among options

文法句型

under constraint

act under constraint

用法筆記

Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'under constraint,' especially in legal, business, or news contexts describing coerced statements or agreements. Never used in everyday situations for mild pressure — save it for serious coercion.

常見錯誤

❌I went to the party under constraint because my friends asked me.
✅I went to the party reluctantly because my friends asked me.
💡'under constraint' implies serious force or threats, not mild social pressure.
❌He worked under constraint to meet the deadline.
✅He worked under pressure to meet the deadline.
💡a deadline is a time limit (sense 1), not a coercive force.