contraindre
French → English
(social/psychology) To compel: to force someone to act against their will through pressure or law
La police a dû contraindre le suspect à s'agenouiller pour l'interpeller.
(English) The police had to compel the suspect to kneel in order to arrest him.
Le traité de Versailles a contraint l’Allemagne à céder ses colonies aux vainqueurs.
(English) The Treaty of Versailles compelled Germany to cede its colonies to the victors.
(personal) To restrain: to force oneself to hold back or control one's emotions (reflexive)
Elle a dû se contraindre devant ses parents pour ne pas éclater de colère.
(English) She had to restrain herself in front of her parents to not burst out in anger.
Il sait très bien se contraindre quand la situation exige de la diplomatie.
(English) He knows very well how to restrain himself when the situation requires diplomacy.
Entry ID: fr:en:contraindre · Source: refined · Type: vocabulary