straitjacket

variants also straightjacket
Definition of straitjacketnext
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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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
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
  • The chain retailer also has locations at Arden Fair and Westfield Galleria at Roseville.
    Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2026
  • The Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, part of the same chain, did not sustain any damage.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • The lone bright spot from the midfield was the solid presence of Pedri who played out of position and still had a decent all-around performance, but even he was criticized by many on social media for falling into a familiar trap.
    Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
  • Golden State sent more traps than usual and didn’t allow the former Notre Dame standout to get clean looks at the rim or from the 3-point line.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • Further drawing from classical dance skirts and ruff collars, the design team merges the reimagined construction and pleating with the shoe’s functional silhouette—resulting in a concept sneaker that balances performance with artistic expression, Asics noted.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 20 June 2026
  • To further create a secure feel, the shoe is also made with a plush heel collar and tongue that lock you in without chafing against your feet.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Straitjacket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjacket. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

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