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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
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
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
See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjacket
Noun
-
Previously, a spokesperson said that the bureau does not discuss conditions of confinement or security procedures and that employee standards of conduct prohibit staff from giving any prisoners preferential treatment.—
Keri Blakinger,
ProPublica,
11 June 2026
-
Meanwhile, the ohmic-heating system drives electrical current through the plasma to raise temperatures and support confinement.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 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
-
If that’s true, Rajoub had set a trap.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
-
That changed rapidly as Argentina flew out of the traps and picked apart their jaded opponents, going 2-0 up after 36 minutes, with the first goal a Messi penalty.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
5 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
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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 15 Jun. 2026.
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