variants
also straightjacket
as in confinement
a jacket that has long arms which can be tied together behind someone's back and that is used to control the movement (as of a violent prisoner or patient)
The magician struggled to free his arms from the straitjacket and escape from the tank of water he was submerged in.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of straitjacket
Gracie then secured my other hand, leaving me in a straitjacket position.
—
Sam Eagan, New Yorker, 29 July 2025
As the rangers discovered, what is planned for today might become tomorrow's straitjacket.
—Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Determining just when a clear identity becomes a tactical straitjacket is a fine line to walk.
—Nancy Froston, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Cold War history has become a straitjacket constraining how Americans perceive the world.
—Justin Winokur, Foreign Affairs, 13 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Sam Eagan, New Yorker, 29 July 2025
As the rangers discovered, what is planned for today might become tomorrow's straitjacket.
—Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Determining just when a clear identity becomes a tactical straitjacket is a fine line to walk.
—Nancy Froston, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Cold War history has become a straitjacket constraining how Americans perceive the world.
—Justin Winokur, Foreign Affairs, 13 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjacket
Noun
-
These conditions of confinement might mirror what we're used to in prisons and jails and can sometimes be worse.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
19 Oct. 2025
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Inaccurate data can lead to instability, allowing the plasma to escape its magnetic confinement and potentially cause damage to the machine.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Hard Rock International Hard Rock International is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and includes a global chain of theme-bar restaurants, casinos, hotels and museums.—
Melanie Hicken,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
-
An X-ray revealed four chains of magnets stuck together inside his abdomen.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Half of his power lies in his ability to explore outside the mold, pushing through reggaetón into dancehall and Latin trap without losing command of the audience.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
22 Oct. 2025
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In fact, every apparent breakdown has turned into a bear trap, sparking powerful reversals in the opposite direction.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Tailleur section features a short redingote dress by Alaïa from the fall 2005 collection in navy blue wool cloth with a small flat collar, pleats on the hips, and decorative stitching.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
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The collar and three snap buttons on the front offer a more professional vibe, while the ribbed material adds texture.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straitjacket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjacket. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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