Crossword Genius

Force swindle on mark without resistance (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

constrain

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'force' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'swindle on mark without resistance' is the wordplay.
'swindle' becomes 'con' (con is a kind of swindle).
'on mark' becomes 'stain' ('stain' can be a synonym of 'mark'. I am not sure about the 'on' bit.**).
'without' indicates putting letters inside ('without' can be similar in meaning to 'outside').
'resistance' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'stain' enclosing 'r' is 'strain'.
'con'+'strain'='CONSTRAIN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for constrain that I've seen before include "Compel; constrict" , "Confine, limit" , "Force" , "Severely restrict" , "Restrict the extent of" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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