| Main Entry: | |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | confine, restrict |
| Synonyms: | appoint, assign, bar, bottle up, bound, cap, check, circumscribe, constrict, contract, cork, cramp, curb, define, delimit, delimitate, demarcate, draw the line, fix, hem in, hinder, inhibit, keep the lid on, lessen, narrow, prescribe, ration, reduce, restrain, set, specify |
| Notes: | delimit means to draw the boundaries or limits of something; limit (noun) means the greatest possible degree of something or the point beyond which something cannot or may not proceed - limit (verb) means to restrict or confine limit marks an end to something; limitation is the extent of one's capacity or a constraint that stops something |
| Antonyms: | free, let go, release, unbound |
| Main Entry: | abridge |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | shorten |
| Synonyms: | abbreviate, abstract, blue pencil, chop, clip, compress, concentrate, condense, contract, curtail, cut, decrease, digest, diminish, downsize, lessen, limit, narrow, put in nutshell, reduce, restrict, slash, snip, summarize, trim, truncate |
| Antonyms: | add, enlarge, expand, extend, increase, lengthen |
| Main Entry: | bar |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | prohibit |
| Synonyms: | ban, boycott, circumvent, condemn, debar, deny, disallow, discountenance, discourage, eliminate, enjoin, except, exclude, exile, forbid, freeze out, frustrate, hinder, interdict, interfere, keep out, limit, obstruct, ostracize, outlaw, override, preclude, prevent, refuse, reject, restrain, rule out, segregate, shut out, stop, suspend |
| Antonyms: | advocate, allow, open, permit |
| Main Entry: | binding |
| Part of Speech: | adjective |
| Definition: | confining |
| Synonyms: | attached, enslaved, fastened, indentured, limiting, restraining, tied, tying |
| Antonyms: | alterable, breakable, revocable, unbinding, unconfining, unnecessary |
| Main Entry: | bound |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | restrict |
| Synonyms: | circumscribe, confine, define, delimit, delimitate, demarcate, determine, encircle, enclose, hem in, limit, mark, mark out, measure, restrain, restrict, surround, terminate |
| Antonyms: | allow, let go, permit, unbind, unrestrict |
| 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: | circumscribe |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | mark off, delimit |
| Synonyms: | bar, bound, confine, define, delineate, demarcate, encircle, enclose, encompass, environ, girdle, hamper, hem in, limit, nail down, outline, prelimit, restrain, restrict, surround, trammel |
| Antonyms: | free, loose, open |
| Main Entry: | constrict |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | inhibit |
| Synonyms: | astringe, choke, circumscribe, clench, compress, concentrate, condense, confine, constringe, contract, cramp, curb, draw together, limit, narrow, pinch, restrain, restrict, shrink, squeeze, strangle, strangulate, tauten, tense, tighten, tuck |
| Antonyms: | expand, free, let go, loosen, open, release |
| Main Entry: | contract |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | come to terms |
| Synonyms: | accept offer, adjust, agree, arrange, assent, bargain, become indebted, bound, buy, circumscribe, clinch, close, come around, commit, consent, covenant, dicker, engage, enter into, firm a deal, give one's word, go along with, hammer out deal, initial*, ink, it's a deal, limit, make terms, negotiate, obligate, owe, pact, pledge, promise, put in writing, set, settle, shake hands on it, sign for, sign papers, sign up, stipulate, swear to, undertake, work out details |
| Notes: | a compact is a formal agreement on rights and conduct, a treaty is a compact between nations, and a contract is a compact between two business entities |
| Antonyms: | break off, disagree |