straiten

straiten
    v 1: bring into difficulties or distress, especially financial
         hardship [syn: {straiten}, {distress}]
    2: squeeze together
    

Straiten \Strait"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Straitened}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Straitening}.]
   1. To make strait; to make narrow; hence, to contract; to
      confine.
      [1913 Webster]

            Waters, when straitened, as at the falls of bridges,
            give a roaring noise.                 --Bacon.
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            In narrow circuit, straitened by a foe. --Milton.
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   2. To make tense, or tight; to tighten.
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            They straiten at each end the cord.   --Pope.
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   3. To restrict; to distress or embarrass in respect of means
      or conditions of life; -- used chiefly in the past
      participle; -- as, a man straitened in his circumstances.
      [1913 Webster]
    

81 Moby Thesaurus words for "straiten":
      arrest, bottle up, bound, box in, box up, bridle, cabin, casket,
      check, cloister, closet, coffin, condition, confine, constrain,
      constrict, contain, contract, control, cool, cool off, copyright,
      cramp, crib, curb, curtail, decelerate, diminish, discipline,
      dompt, draw in, draw the line, encase, enjoin, entomb, go in,
      govern, guard, hedge about, hinder, hold, hold at bay, hold back,
      hold fast, hold in, hold in check, hold in leash, hold up, immure,
      inhibit, keep, keep back, keep from, keep in, keep in check,
      keep under control, lay under restraint, limit, moderate, narrow,
      patent, prohibit, pull, pull in, qualify, register, rein, rein in,
      restrain, restrict, retard, retrench, scant, set back, slow down,
      snape, snub, specialize, stint, taper, withhold