constrain

1 to cause (a person) to give in to pressure <constrained by conscience to tell only the truth> Synonyms blackjack, coerce, compel, force, dragoon, drive, impel, impress, make, muscle, obligate, oblige, press, pressure, sandbagRelated Words browbeat, bulldoze, bully, cow, hector, intimidate; blackmail, high-pressure, menace, shame, terrorize, threaten; drag; badger, harass, houndNear Antonyms allow, let, permit; argue, convince, induce, move, persuade, prevail (on or upon), satisfy, talk (into), win (over)

2 to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) <constrained his anger at the needless interruption> Synonyms bridle, check, control, contain, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, keep, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tameRelated Words bottle (up), choke (back), hold back, mince, muffle, pocket, repress, sink, smother, squelch, stifle, strangle, suppress, swallow; arrest, interrupt, stop; block, hamper, handcuff, hinder, impede, obstruct; gag, muzzle, silenceNear Antonyms liberate, loose, loosen, unleash; air, express, take out, ventAntonyms lose