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
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
Mikey struggles to keep up with the two Gucci duffels wrapped around his shoulders like a straitjacket.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
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
But the peace forged at Dayton bound Bosnia in a straitjacket that has kept it divided since.
—Adis Maksić, The Conversation, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Mikey struggles to keep up with the two Gucci duffels wrapped around his shoulders like a straitjacket.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
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
But the peace forged at Dayton bound Bosnia in a straitjacket that has kept it divided since.
—Adis Maksić, The Conversation, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjacket
Noun
-
Most of the defendants pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy and cyberstalking and were later sentenced to prison terms or home confinement.—
Leah Willingham,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The lyrics string together repetitive and mostly generic metaphors comparing love to death and commitment to confinement.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The chain of events triggered by the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel by Hamas shattered the image of Iran as an impenetrable and defiant regional power.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, the Pentagon's supply-chain risk designation, typically reserved for companies in adversary nations, means that defense contractors could be barred from deploying Anthropic's AI as part of work for the Pentagon.—
Andrea Shalal,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Baylor had switched to a half-court trap style of defense that sped up the Horned Frogs and forced multiple turnovers.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Mar. 2026
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Studies show these traps are useful for scientists who are monitoring beetle activity, but not for controlling beetles in your garden.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Clean lines, an insulated adjustable hood that fits your helmet, a down-insulated collar, and pockets make a jacket perfect for cold ski days.—
Outside,
Outside,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Guild also sounded less, well, blue collar.—
Thomas Doherty,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straitjacket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjacket. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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