Crossword Genius

Make do, with an effort (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

constrain

'make' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'do with an effort' is the wordplay.
'do' becomes 'con'.
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'an effort' becomes 'strain' (strain is a kind of effort**).
'con'+'strain'='CONSTRAIN'

(Other definitions for constrain that I've seen before include "Restrict scope of (an activity)" , "Lock up" , "Check" , "Compel; constrict" , "Hold back - non-racist (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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