constrict

verb

con·​strict kən-ˈstrikt 

constricted; constricting; constricts

transitive verb

1

a

: to make narrow or draw together

Smoking constricts blood vessels.

b

: compress, squeeze

constrict a nerve

These shoes are too small and they constrict my feet.

2

: to stultify, stop, or cause to falter : inhibit

The expectation of violence constricts our lives.

—Marge Piercy

intransitive verb

: to become constricted

The drug causes the blood vessels to constrict.

constrictive

kən-ˈstrik-tiv 

adjective

Did you know?

Arteries constricted by cholesterol slow the flow of blood, just as traffic arteries or highways constricted by accidents slow the flow of traffic. But constriction isn't always physical. Economic growth may be constricted by trade barriers. A narrow, constricted life may be the result of poverty or lack of opportunity. And an actress may feel constricted by a role she played as a child or by her TV character from years ago, which the public refuses to forget.

Synonyms

• compress
• condense
• contract
• shrink

Choose the Right Synonym for constrict

contract, shrink, condense, compress, constrict, deflate mean to decrease in bulk or volume.

contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

caused her muscles to contract

shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

the sweater will shrink when washed

condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

condense the essay into a paragraph

compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

compressed cotton into bales

constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

the throat is constricted by a tight collar

deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

deflate the balloon

Examples of constrict in a Sentence

The drug is used to constrict blood vessels.

The declining economy has constricted job opportunities.

a life constricted by poverty and disease

He felt constricted by their notions of what was proper.

Recent Examples on the Web

His research suggests that stress hormones can constrict tiny blood vessels surrounding the heart, which decrease blood flow. —Aria Bendix, NBC news, 14 May 2025

Nerve fibers send a message about lower salt levels to your brain, and the autonomic nervous system responds by constricting the blood vessels. —Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 12 May 2025

Don’t be afraid to adjust the timeline: For one reason or another, 90 days may feel too constricting to you. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2025

Four decades of neoliberalism have so thoroughly taught policymakers that the role of government should be limited that public debates about the economy are now constricted to discussions about growth and distribution—the overall size and proportionate slicing of the pie. —Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin constrictus, past participle of constringere — see constrain

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for constrict

• addict
• afflict
• delict
• depict
• evict
• handpicked
• inflict
• predict
• relict
• restrict
• bricked
• clicked

Kids Definition

constrict

verb

con·​strict kən-ˈstrikt 

: to make or become narrower or smaller by drawing together : squeeze, tighten

constrictive

-ˈstrik-tiv 

adjective

Medical Definition

constrict

transitive verb

con·​strict kən-ˈstrikt 

1

: to make narrow or draw together

constrict the pupil of the eye

2

: to subject (as a body part) to compression

constrict a nerve

intransitive verb

: to become constricted

constrictive

-ˈstrik-tiv 

adjective