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
Burns becomes a foil and the butt of jokes of other doctors at the M*A*S*H unit until he is literally driven into a straitjacket.
—
David Morgan, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Revenue concerns compared to their direct rivals can be offset by getting back into the Champions League, enabling the club to loosen the financial straitjacket and spend on the players Emery wants, regardless of their age.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The first three weeks saw an 8-year-old aerialist, a 74-year-old comedian, a laser-performing duo from Vietnam and a Las Vegas magician who hung from the ceiling in a straitjacket.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Known for its aggressive high-top design, the Air Max2 CB 94’s key features include elastic straps on the tongue said to be inspired by straightjackets, a nod to Barkley’s volatile reputation in the ‘90s.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
David Morgan, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Revenue concerns compared to their direct rivals can be offset by getting back into the Champions League, enabling the club to loosen the financial straitjacket and spend on the players Emery wants, regardless of their age.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The first three weeks saw an 8-year-old aerialist, a 74-year-old comedian, a laser-performing duo from Vietnam and a Las Vegas magician who hung from the ceiling in a straitjacket.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Known for its aggressive high-top design, the Air Max2 CB 94’s key features include elastic straps on the tongue said to be inspired by straightjackets, a nod to Barkley’s volatile reputation in the ‘90s.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjacket
Noun
-
She was initially ordered to serve her sentence at her daughter’s home, but a 2019 court ruling placed her behind bars for violating the terms of her confinement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Suhail pleaded not guilty on Wednesday and was released on $5 million bond, ordered to remain on home confinement.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Two that are also components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average — McDonald's and Walt Disney Co — are the week's headliners, while restaurant chains, media companies and gig economy platforms will also have a big showing.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
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Protesters are demanding that the hardware store chain protect day laborers against future arrests and deportations after last year's uptick in immigration enforcement operations, some of which happened outside of Home Depot locations in Southern California.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Through some careful engineering, Roberts, Alito, and their allies have created a trap for voting-rights cases.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
Catch tunneling gophers with GopherHawk traps.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Chicago's collar counties, as well as Lake and Porter counties in Indiana are also nearing the $5-per-gallon mark.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
-
The striped blouse is embroidered with small red hearts, and the collar has a scalloped edge with matching trim for a charming touch.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straitjacket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjacket. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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