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.
Related Words
Relevance
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 straitjacket
First Man, the Neil Armstrong biopic that is Chazelle’s second collaboration with Gosling, feels like watching Gosling act his way out of a straitjacket.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Pierce wiggled, jumped, twisted, pulled, huffed and puffed his way out of that straitjacket, taking a little bow at the end.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
The collection, all black save for splashes of red and silky cream and deep brown plum moments, wasn't worth the wait but had bright spots in utility-style vests and jackets, a black funnel-neck piece with tiers of straps down and around like a straightjacket.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Pierce wiggled, jumped, twisted, pulled, huffed and puffed his way out of that straitjacket, taking a little bow at the end.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
The collection, all black save for splashes of red and silky cream and deep brown plum moments, wasn't worth the wait but had bright spots in utility-style vests and jackets, a black funnel-neck piece with tiers of straps down and around like a straightjacket.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjacket
Noun
-
Vishnevski vows to appeal Vishnevski, 33, had been on home confinement at his mother's residence near Boston while awaiting trial.—
Molly Parker,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
The team played bass-heavy electronic music while slowly moving a microphone through and around the focal region to evaluate both sound quality and confinement.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
But many were reopened after Pappas Restaurants acquired the chain.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
-
According to the company’s website, the business sells precious and semi-precious crystal pendants, carvings and chains.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
How To Clean The Dishwasher Drain With Vinegar Cleaning your dishwasher drain trap requires a bit more care than cleaning your overall dishwasher.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
14 June 2026
-
Some flowers and scented herbs can be used as companion plants to naturally repel aphids, while others function as trap crops by luring aphids away from milkweed.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
During sessions, an external power and communication module sat over the implant in a soft cloth collar, controlling stimulation triggering and wirelessly powering the device.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
-
Elsewhere, the collection revisits Van Cleef’s greatest hits, including the Dèese ailée Mystérieuse set in 18-karat white and rose gold, decked with rubies in the house’s Traditional Mystery Setting, and lined in diamonds in a wing-like collar design.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straitjacket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjacket. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
