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
Gracie then secured my other hand, leaving me in a straitjacket position.
—
Sam Eagan, New Yorker, 29 July 2025
As the rangers discovered, what is planned for today might become tomorrow's straitjacket.
—Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Determining just when a clear identity becomes a tactical straitjacket is a fine line to walk.
—Nancy Froston, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Cold War history has become a straitjacket constraining how Americans perceive the world.
—Justin Winokur, Foreign Affairs, 13 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Sam Eagan, New Yorker, 29 July 2025
As the rangers discovered, what is planned for today might become tomorrow's straitjacket.
—Nate Bennett, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Determining just when a clear identity becomes a tactical straitjacket is a fine line to walk.
—Nancy Froston, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Cold War history has become a straitjacket constraining how Americans perceive the world.
—Justin Winokur, Foreign Affairs, 13 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjacket
Noun
-
This design enables continuous plasma confinement without needing external current drive, potentially allowing for longer, steadier operations than other fusion models.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
-
In Ibadan, the biennial activates the New Culture Studio designed by Demas Nwoko (1970), exploring urban and architectural dimensions of confinement.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With that in mind, consider stacking charms, unique metals, different chain weights, mixing stones, and even materials when layering pieces in your collection (or shopping for new styles).—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Videos of diners who were surprised to see the singer at one of the restaurant chain’s locations have also gone viral.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency suggests a wooden, two-door trap to catch armadillos for removal.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The gear, often connected to a trap on the seafloor and a buoy at the surface, can wrap itself around whales’ mouths, tails and bodies, leaving them struggling to feed and even swim.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The style featured stitching around the boot collar and down the center.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
-
But with Neo stepping into the household and taking on labor like housekeeping, job-seekers may have to compete with AI innovations creeping into the blue-collar world.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straitjacket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjacket. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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