con·strain 
/kənˈstreɪn/ verb
con·strains; con·strained; con·strain·ing /kənˈstreɪn/ verb [+ obj] 1 : to limit or restrict (something or someone)
▪ She believes that too much instruction constrains [=limits] an artist's creativity. ▪ People with criminal backgrounds are legally constrained [=restricted] from working for some government agencies. — often used as (be) constrained ▪ We were constrained [=limited] by the short amount of time we had. ▪ Teenagers often feel constrained [=limited] by rules. 2 formal : to use pressure to force (someone) to do something — usually used as (be) constrained ▪ She felt constrained [=(more commonly) felt compelled] to apologize for the harm she'd done.
▪ She believes that too much instruction constrains [=limits] an artist's creativity. ▪ People with criminal backgrounds are legally constrained [=restricted] from working for some government agencies. — often used as (be) constrained ▪ We were constrained [=limited] by the short amount of time we had. ▪ Teenagers often feel constrained [=limited] by rules.
