# constrain vs contain

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### constrain
*verb · IPA /kənˈstɹeɪn/ · frequency rank #36,089*
To force physically, by strong persuasion or pressuring; to compel; to oblige.

### contain
*verb · IPA /kənˈteɪn/ · frequency rank #2,984*
To hold inside.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/constrain-vs-contain