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
  • Think super-powerful magnets in medical imaging and particle physics experiments; faster circuits that won’t overheat; potential for nuclear fusion plasma confinement.
    — Sven Badoux, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Even with execution dates looming, their death row confinement offers a relatively peaceful oasis.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • People used to be able to fill up their tires for free at GetGo, but now the gas station chain charges $3.
    — Barry Pintar, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Council voted 11-3 to endorse the boycott of the popular coffee chain Starbucks, pledging not to buy any of its products until the company finalizes a fair contract with its unionized baristas.
    — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Sticky traps with dead insects on them were seen under dry storage area and on the side of a deep freezer.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
  • These traps kill rats, but also gather information about movements and population sizes, according to the health district.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The affidavit said some of Uhls fraudulent investment deals were discussed via text in a group chat made up of blue collar workers.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The campaign video shows the gray denim worn as a matching set, alongside a black varsity jacket with cream sleeves and a black rugby top with a white collar.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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