| Main Entry: | |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | restrict, prevent |
| Synonyms: | arrest, avert, bar, bit, bridle, check, constrain, cramp, curb, discourage, enjoin, faze, forbid, frustrate, hang up, hinder, hog-tie, hold back, hold down, hold in, impede, interdict, keep in, obstruct, outlaw, prohibit, put on brakes, repress, restrain, sandbag, stop, stymie, suppress, taboo*, ward, withhold |
| Antonyms: | aid, allow, approve, assist, free, help |
| Main Entry: | arrest |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | stop or slow |
| Synonyms: | block, can, check, delay, drop, end, freeze, halt, hinder, hold, inhibit, interrupt, knock off, obstruct, prevent, restrain, restrict, retard, scrub, shut down, stall, stay, suppress |
| Antonyms: | activate, encourage, let go, release |
| Main Entry: | ban |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | officially forbid |
| Synonyms: | banish, bar, blackball, close down, close up, curse, declare illegal, disallow, enjoin, exclude, halt, ice out, illegalize, inhibit, interdict, outlaw, pass by, pass up, prevent, prohibit, proscribe, restrict, shut out, suppress |
| Antonyms: | allow, permit |
| Main Entry: | bridle |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | check, hold back |
| Synonyms: | constrain, control, curb, govern, inhibit, keep in check, master, moderate, repress, restrain, rule, subdue, suppress, withhold |
| Notes: | bridal relates to a bride or a marriage ceremony while a bridle is a harness |
| Antonyms: | let go, release, set free |
| Main Entry: | check |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | hinder, restrain |
| Synonyms: | arrest, baffle, bar, bit, bottleneck, bridle, checkmate, choke, circumvent, constrain, control, counteract, curb, cut short, delay, discourage, foil, frustrate, halt, harness, hold, hold back, hold down, hold in, impede, inhibit, interrupt, keep back, limit, moderate, neutralize, nip in the bud, obstruct, obviate, pause, play for time, preclude, prevent, rebuff, reduce, rein in, repress, repulse, retard, slacken pace, slow down, snub, squelch, stay, stop, suppress, tame, terminate, thwart, withhold |
| Antonyms: | aid, allow, assist, expedite, help, indulge, liberate, permit |
| Main Entry: | command |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | demand |
| Synonyms: | adjure, appoint, authorize, ban, bar, beckon, bid, call, call for, call on, call the signals, call upon, charge, check, cite, compel, debar, dictate, direct, enact, enjoin, exact, forbid, force upon, give directions, give orders, grant, impose, inflict, inhibit, instruct, interdict, lay down the law, mark out, oblige, ordain, order, ordinate, proclaim, prohibit, put foot down, require, requisition, restrain, rule out, send for, set, subpoena, summon, take charge, take lead, task, tell, warn |
| Notes: | an order is being told to do something with no specific guidelines, a command is being told to do something in a specific way, and a directive is being told to do something and getting this information through channels |
| Antonyms: | contradict, countermand, oppose, recall, reverse, revoke |
| Main Entry: | constrain |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | force; restrain |
| Synonyms: | ban, bar, bind, bottle up, bridle, chain, check, coerce, compel, concuss, confine, constrict, cool off, cork, curb, deny, deprive, disallow, drive, hem in, hog-tie, hold back, hold down, hold in, immure, impel, imprison, incarcerate, inhibit, intern, jail, keep lid on, make, necessitate, oblige, pressure, pressurize, put half nelson on, shotgun, stifle, urge, withhold |
| Antonyms: | free, let go, release |
| Main Entry: | cramp |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | hinder, restrain |
| Synonyms: | bottle up, box up, check, circumscribe, clamp, clasp, clog, confine, constrain, coop up, encumber, fasten, grip, hamper, hamstring, handicap, impede, inhibit, limit, object, obstruct, restrict, shackle, stymie, thwart |
| Antonyms: | allow, let go, release |
| Main Entry: | curb |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | repress, restrict |
| Synonyms: | abstain, bit, bottle up, box in, bridle, bring to screeching halt, check, clog, constrain, contain, control, cook*, cool down, cool off, deny, entrammel, fetter, hamper, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold down, hold in, ice*, impede, inhibit, keep lid on, keep tight rein on, leash, manacle, moderate, muzzle, refrain, rein in, restrain, retard, scrub, send up, shackle, subdue, suppress, tame, tie, tie up, withhold |
| Antonyms: | aid, assist, encourage, foster, help |