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 Forced to walk around, and even sleep, in a steel straightjacket with his neck permanently raised high, the once carefree Christophe begins to shut down to both his classmates and family. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 The icy straitjacket that kept the rocks from collapsing was no longer there. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 May 2026 In any other administration, straitjackets would be the mandatory dress code. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjacket
Noun
  • Former detainees and relatives allege beatings, threats and harsh confinement.
    — Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
  • But the overwhelming share of California’s dairy calves are not raised for veal and thus get no protection under Prop 12, even as many members of the public may assume the problem of extreme confinement of calves has been solved.
    — Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 11 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • When a single cell in a repeating lattice cracks or punctures, the surrounding identical cells immediately follow suit, causing a chain-reaction collapse.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
  • This ends with Belzagar’s companion taking an arrow to the chest, Pharazôn wounded, and one of the would-be assassins in chains.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Rugs trap dust, dirt, allergens, odors, pet hair, dander, and more.
    — Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The researchers then moved the cloud into a wider optical trap and gradually loosened its grip.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The original runway design featured tiny, sculptural antlers protruding from the collar, though these appear to have been removed for Jenner’s red-carpet outing.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The Solebox x Timberland Premium 6-Inch Boot maintains all of the shoe’s classic components including its padded leather collar, double-sole design and metal hardware, but drapes the entire upper in a premium brown pony hair.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 8 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Straitjacket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjacket. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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