constrict

verb

con·​strict kən-ˈstrikt How to pronounce constrict (audio)
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 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.

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 Pants and skirts were made with menswear fabrics but nothing was constricting. Luisa Zargani, WWD, 23 Sep. 2024 The past few years, the legislature has considered bills that would constrict charter school options. Krista Kafer, The Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2024 The overheating likely caused Teflon seals to swell and constrict the flow of propellant, ultimately leading to the failures. Lee Billings, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2024 But business owners say environmental moves can constrict their ability to operate. Micheline Maynard, TIME, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for constrict 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'constrict.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin constrictus, past participle of constringere — see constrain

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of constrict was in 1732

Dictionary Entries Near constrict

Cite this Entry

“Constrict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constrict. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

constrict

verb
con·​strict kən-ˈstrikt How to pronounce constrict (audio)
: to make or become narrower or smaller by drawing together : squeeze, tighten
constrictive adjective

Medical Definition

constrict

transitive verb
con·​strict kən-ˈstrikt How to pronounce constrict (audio)
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
constrictive adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on constrict

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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