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
Relevance
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
Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 12 Apr. 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
Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 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, 10 Apr. 2026
Ice rollers and cryo tools are best for reducing puffiness, calming inflammation and easing morning swelling by temporarily constricting blood vessels.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
Ice Rollers and Cryo Tools Best for puffiness, inflammation and morning swelling, ice rollers work by temporarily constricting blood vessels.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Ice Rollers and Cryo Tools Simple, affordable and surprisingly effective, ice rollers and cryo tools work by temporarily constricting blood vessels.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
But these designers have shown that the grid doesn’t have to be constricting.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Long and baggy Bermudas have been the silhouette du jour for a minute now, a welcome alternative to constricting, itty-bitty Daisy Dukes.
—India Roby, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
That inconsistency is particularly striking in Florida, a state that has pushed to expand medical freedom for those who wish to avoid vaccines or fluoridated water, while constricting the rights of people in various stages of pregnancy.
—CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
This spring, trending styles are continuing to divert from slimmer, constricting fits, with many embracing an ultra-relaxed look that leaves room for comfort and experimentation.
—Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 12 Apr. 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
With all manner of industries constricting and AI threatening entry-level positions, many people have become delivery drivers, full-time or as an economically necessary side gig.
—Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 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, 10 Apr. 2026
Ice rollers and cryo tools are best for reducing puffiness, calming inflammation and easing morning swelling by temporarily constricting blood vessels.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
Ice Rollers and Cryo Tools Best for puffiness, inflammation and morning swelling, ice rollers work by temporarily constricting blood vessels.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Ice Rollers and Cryo Tools Simple, affordable and surprisingly effective, ice rollers and cryo tools work by temporarily constricting blood vessels.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
But these designers have shown that the grid doesn’t have to be constricting.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Long and baggy Bermudas have been the silhouette du jour for a minute now, a welcome alternative to constricting, itty-bitty Daisy Dukes.
—India Roby, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
That inconsistency is particularly striking in Florida, a state that has pushed to expand medical freedom for those who wish to avoid vaccines or fluoridated water, while constricting the rights of people in various stages of pregnancy.
—CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constricting
Noun
-
But for all its utility, ordinary squeezing is a relatively simple, second-order effect.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
-
Concacaf is not the only confederation squeezing games into FIFA windows around the club calendar.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ramberg/Getty Images Household budgets are under significant pressure right now, with millions of Americans trying to juggle stubborn (and now rising) living costs and shrinking financial cushions thanks to their rising credit card debt.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
As more Americans take weight-loss medications such as Ozempic, appetites are shrinking.—
Khloe Quill , Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The coaches association wants to fix this by ending conference championship games and compressing the break between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoff.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
Machine learning has been around for compressing content to high-res content.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
If damp places are unavoidable, try compression or vacuum bags and a plastic bin with a lid.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
1 May 2026
-
The synthetic fiber is derived from petrochemicals and must meet high-performance standards for activewear and compression.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The map would create more GOP-friendly districts not only by condensing Democratic voters but also by making some Republican strongholds less sturdy in a year when Republicans are expected to take a hit on the November ballot.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The governor's map, if approved, would reshape districts in Democratic areas around Orlando and Tampa Bay, while also condensing Democratic voters into fewer South Florida districts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While Gold concurred that the ports will not be significantly impacted by the Iran war, the rising fuel costs due to the constriction of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could eventually effect retailers and consumers.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Lungs Starting at around 9,000 feet, your lungs may begin to swell due to a constriction of blood vessels, which can cause fluid to leak and accumulate.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As recently reported through KPBS, this progress has led to rents decreasing by about 5%.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Several years ago, MLB and Commissioner Rob Manfred enacted changes meant to speed up the game through better pace of play, keeping the same amount of action in baseball while decreasing the time each game took to finish.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Competitive bidding and eliminating wasteful contracting practices free up resources that can be redirected to frontline work.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
In 2022, Sachanowicz voted with a 5-3 board majority to support a plan for faculty contracting that did not include a tenure-track option.—
Scott Huddleston,
San Antonio Express-News,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constricting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constricting. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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