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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Recent Examples of straitjacket
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
But the movie never busts out of its tame, slightly cheeky straitjacket, and the smoothness of its execution can be a bit cozy at times.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 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
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
But the movie never busts out of its tame, slightly cheeky straitjacket, and the smoothness of its execution can be a bit cozy at times.
—Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 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
-
In a population already at higher risk of illness due to stress and confinement, these oversights can quickly escalate into medical emergencies.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Discontent with confinement and mistreatment, some attempt to escape and even attack their peers.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With masses equivalent to millions or even billions of suns, supermassive black holes are too massive to have been born from dying stars; instead, it is theorized that they are created when smaller black holes collide and merge, and a chain of progressively larger and larger mergers.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The investment group also includes the Cherng Family Trust, the family office of the co-founders of the Panda Express restaurant chain, according to Friday’s statement.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Inconsistency is another trap—being visible during a launch but silent during challenges erodes credibility.—
Heather Rosenow,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Low-lying areas that trap water are perfect environments for mosses.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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During the Edwardian period and early 20th century, luxury fur coats, full-length wraps, stoles, and extravagant collars were at the height of fashion—as much a symbol of wealth as any jewel.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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With her sleek hair, popped fan collar, and dark-beauty details, Lopez is also serving some undeniable gothic glam vibes.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straitjacket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjacket. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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