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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjacket
Noun
  • Derived in the 1950s, the Lawson Criterion describes the combinations of temperature, plasma density, and energy confinement needed to net energy production from fusion plasma.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike prisons, jails are designed for short-term detention rather than prolonged confinement.
    Jillian Turanovic, The Conversation, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The chain replaced its soft bun with a more sturdier version, changed the recipe for its mayonnaise and now serves it in a box instead of wrapped in paper.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • After the pandemic, a national chain of Pilates studios reported 71 percent year-on-year growth in membership among men, as cited by GQ.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • According to the Solano Wildlife Rescue and Education Center, a female coyote was found in the trap near a creek, just off Suisun Valley Road in Fairfield.
    Tim Fang, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The pitching staff is missing RHPs Brandon Woodruff (shoulder), Joel Kuhnel (rotator cuff) and Quinn Priester (thoracic outlet syndrome) and LHPs JoJo Romero (appendectomy), Rob Zastryzny (trap), Angel Zerpa (forearm) and Brian Fitzpatrick (UCL).
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The contrasting collar, usually made of corduroy, is meant to provide soft comfort against the neck.
    Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The five collar county board leaders also pick representatives to NITA, Metra and Pace.
    Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Straitjacket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjacket. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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