1
as in shrinks
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in compresses
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of constricts
The coldness of the water constricts arteries, requiring the heart to work harder than normal to function.
—
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
This means giving up the exalted and exaggerated idea of the West that boosts a masculinist self-image but severely constricts thought and feeling.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The psychic and physical toll of white supremacy, sustained cruelty, imprisonment, famine, poverty, depression, grief, or illness constricts one’s depth of imagination and movement.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
That’s because the physical exertion of shoveling increases heart rate and blood pressure, while at the same time the cold constricts blood vessels–a double whammy of stressors.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Breathing in cold air constricts blood vessels, which elevates blood pressure and narrows coronary arteries, increasing the risk of cardiac strain.
—Manahil Ahmad, The Providence Journal, 25 Jan. 2026
Breathing in cold air constricts blood vessels, which elevates blood pressure and narrows coronary arteries, increasing the risk of cardiac strain.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2026
Cold water immersion constricts blood vessels, reduces swelling, numbs sore areas, and flushes lactic acid from the muscles.
—Outside, 10 Dec. 2025
Without this process, the air would be colder and drier, which irritates and constricts the airways and can lead to inflammation.
—Sarah Philip, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2025
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
This means giving up the exalted and exaggerated idea of the West that boosts a masculinist self-image but severely constricts thought and feeling.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
The psychic and physical toll of white supremacy, sustained cruelty, imprisonment, famine, poverty, depression, grief, or illness constricts one’s depth of imagination and movement.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
That’s because the physical exertion of shoveling increases heart rate and blood pressure, while at the same time the cold constricts blood vessels–a double whammy of stressors.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Breathing in cold air constricts blood vessels, which elevates blood pressure and narrows coronary arteries, increasing the risk of cardiac strain.
—Manahil Ahmad, The Providence Journal, 25 Jan. 2026
Breathing in cold air constricts blood vessels, which elevates blood pressure and narrows coronary arteries, increasing the risk of cardiac strain.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Jan. 2026
Cold water immersion constricts blood vessels, reduces swelling, numbs sore areas, and flushes lactic acid from the muscles.
—Outside, 10 Dec. 2025
Without this process, the air would be colder and drier, which irritates and constricts the airways and can lead to inflammation.
—Sarah Philip, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constricts
Verb
-
All of this erodes trust, diminishes the quality of decisions and shrinks leadership.—
Terina Allen,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
To accommodate this mechanical depth, the roster shrinks to just seven core characters.—
Gabriel Zamora,
PC Magazine,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Each compresses an underlying world into a form the institution can manage.—
Dr. Aditya Vikram Kashyap,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Venture clienting compresses that timeline dramatically.—
Serguei Netessine,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Over-the-Rhine condenses the history of America into several square blocks.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
Belmont says the facility would generate enough heat to raise nighttime temperatures by eight to 12 degrees, irrevocably shifting the dew point, the temperature at which water condenses.—
Mary Jane Gibson,
Rolling Stone,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Even Zach Cherry squeezes plenty from his part as the dealership’s manager, who grows loudly resentful when Nate seems more emotionally invested in his biological children than coworkers.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
27 May 2026
-
War squeezes African, Asian economies further The fallout of the Iran war deepened globally as countries struggled to contain the impact of rising fuel and commodity prices.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constricts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constricts. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
