as in squeezing
the act or process of reducing the size or volume of something by or as if by pressing
the constant constricting of the animal's throat had caused permanent damage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in shrinking
to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter
the vessel constricted, thereby reducing the flow of blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in compressing
to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together
constricted the opening with a clamp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of constricting
Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
Howard and her team got the company to redesign the uniform after about a year of trying, swapping the constricting top for a looser one.
—Starre Vartan, CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025
Toddlers and babies especially might especially appreciate a break from their constricting seat, and a change in scenery, by talking a walk up and down the aisles with mom or dad.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
Its space is at once endless and constricting.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Wildlife art can be confining, constricting, customary; contemporary artists are assuring its survival and vibrancy by breaking from the traditional.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Anna Callaghan, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
The downside is that following instructions or tutorials may feel unusually constricting.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Frostbite occurs due to your blood vessels constricting due to the cold.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
The long-sleeve top has a close fit without being constricting, and the wide-leg sweatpants have a drawstring waistband and two side pockets.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Eating too much saturated fat can raise your cholesterol, a waxy substance that can build up in your arteries, narrowing and constricting them, and affecting blood flow.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2026
Designed with mild compression (8-15 mmHg), these won’t feel as constricting as socks with higher support, which might be preferred by some travelers.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
While the underlying cause of blemishes and cystic acne is bacteria, a dose of chill can help relieve pain and decrease inflammation by constricting the blood vessels.
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2025
Make sure to swim in the waters off Princess Margaret Beach, where the late British royal would come to escape the socially constricting confines of Mustique island.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
The straight pair has a snug fit that’s not too tight or constricting.
—Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
Howard and her team got the company to redesign the uniform after about a year of trying, swapping the constricting top for a looser one.
—Starre Vartan, CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025
Toddlers and babies especially might especially appreciate a break from their constricting seat, and a change in scenery, by talking a walk up and down the aisles with mom or dad.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
Its space is at once endless and constricting.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Wildlife art can be confining, constricting, customary; contemporary artists are assuring its survival and vibrancy by breaking from the traditional.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
The half zip gave temperature control and the relaxed fit never felt constricting.
—Anna Callaghan, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
The downside is that following instructions or tutorials may feel unusually constricting.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Frostbite occurs due to your blood vessels constricting due to the cold.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
The long-sleeve top has a close fit without being constricting, and the wide-leg sweatpants have a drawstring waistband and two side pockets.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Eating too much saturated fat can raise your cholesterol, a waxy substance that can build up in your arteries, narrowing and constricting them, and affecting blood flow.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2026
Designed with mild compression (8-15 mmHg), these won’t feel as constricting as socks with higher support, which might be preferred by some travelers.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
While the underlying cause of blemishes and cystic acne is bacteria, a dose of chill can help relieve pain and decrease inflammation by constricting the blood vessels.
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2025
Make sure to swim in the waters off Princess Margaret Beach, where the late British royal would come to escape the socially constricting confines of Mustique island.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constricting
Noun
-
Hassan’s team instead squeezed a photon’s intensity and demonstrated real-time control, fluctuating between intensity and phase-squeezing by adjusting the silica’s position relative to the beams.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Reservation incumbents, delivery app newcomers and premium credit card partnerships are all ramping up the fight for a shrinking pool of diners.—
Amelia Lucas,Ryan Baker,
CNBC,
25 Feb. 2026
-
To justify the sky-high fees, schools are increasingly looking to upgrade facilities and services to attract a shrinking pool of students.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This Quince jacket is a personal favorite, providing substantial warmth while still compressing easily into a backpack once the day heats up.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Last year, there were two weeks between the end of the Australian Open and the start of the Qatar Open, but this year there was just one, compressing players’ recovery time and travel time after the first Grand Slam of the year.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Researchers have become successful in generating electricity from compression using a flexible nylon-film device.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The high-compression fabric is sculpting without digging into skin, and the generous waistband keeps everything in place during particularly bendy yoga classes.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While condensing your mortgage term may result in larger monthly payments, the interest savings and the ability to become debt-free much sooner could be worthy trade-offs.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
And while the 3rd Gen also requires the separate Nest app, the 4th Gen offers full functionality and control in the Google Home app, condensing all of your smart home devices into one hub.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Their mid-rise waistband means no tummy constriction, and the loose legs offer plenty of room to trounce around the terminal without feeling cramped.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Then came the explosion of streamers followed by a constriction.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Lower premiums were made possible by decreasing repair costs and fewer collisions in 2025, the company said.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
-
In 2025, Ehardt co-sponsored a bill that would have removed ratios altogether — in a bid to increase the number of in-home day cares available by decreasing their regulation.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Fullerton Fire Department brought its ambulance services in-house this month after more than 20 years of contracting with a private ambulance transport service.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Michael Dominick has spent over a decade working in aviation MRO, defense contracting, and industrial operations.—
William Jones,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constricting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constricting. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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