constrain
/kənˈstreɪn/(verb)
AWL Sublist 3CEFR C1IELTS Band 7.0 - 9.0
Academic Definition
To severely restrict the scope, extent, or activity of something; to compel or force.
Key Academic Collocations
Click to copyWord Family & Derivatives
constrainconstrainedconstrainingconstraintconstraints
Lexical Alternatives (Synonyms)
restrictlimitimpedecurbshackle
Academic Sample Sentences in Context
"Budgetary constraints prevented local councils from upgrading flood defenses before the rainy season."
"Excessive governmental bureaucracy can constrain entrepreneurial innovation and foreign capital investment."
"The data reveals that small enterprises were severely constrained by rising borrowing costs across the decade."
IELTS Examiner Scoring Strategy (Lexical Resource)
A high-scoring C1 alternative to 'limit' or 'restrict'. Use 'constrained by financial limitations' in Task 2.