straitjackets

variants also straightjackets
plural of straitjacket
as in handcuffs
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

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 straitjackets In any other administration, straitjackets would be the mandatory dress code. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 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 Some plaintiffs allege they were restrained in straitjackets for as long as 16 hours. Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjackets
Noun
  • The trooper ordered Lugo out of the BMW before placing him in handcuffs.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The same day, the other man, Daniel Maddox, was placed in handcuffs at the home that was searched and held for several hours, the notice says.
    Phil Helsel, NBC news, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Peptides are short chains of amino acids and act as the building blocks of proteins in the body.
    Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill executives said consumers' mistrust of chains serving fresh lettuce weighed on sales in the second half of July.
    Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • Throughout these pages, Hutchinson expresses a deep love of prose, of its grand possibilities and subtle confinements.
    Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Straitjackets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjackets. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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