variants
also straightjackets
as in handcuffs
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 straitjackets
In any other administration, straitjackets would be the mandatory dress code.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
Known for its aggressive high-top design, the Air Max2 CB 94’s key features include elastic straps on the tongue said to be inspired by straightjackets, a nod to Barkley’s volatile reputation in the ‘90s.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
Some plaintiffs allege they were restrained in straitjackets for as long as 16 hours.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
Known for its aggressive high-top design, the Air Max2 CB 94’s key features include elastic straps on the tongue said to be inspired by straightjackets, a nod to Barkley’s volatile reputation in the ‘90s.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025
Some plaintiffs allege they were restrained in straitjackets for as long as 16 hours.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjackets
Noun
-
Video from the scene early Wednesday morning showed FBI agents at the business, with one man coming out of the building with his hands up, and another was seen being questioned while wearing handcuffs.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
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Thursday, Thorsen was flown in handcuffs from Germany to Atlanta, also the home of CDC headquarters.—
Sasha Pezenik,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The neighborhood/area Despite many of the area’s mansions housing businesses or fairly average restaurant chains, this stretch of Sarrià still belongs to the wealthy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
-
Madonna honored the era with fishnets, metal studs and silver chains adorning a Givenchy mini plaid blazer by Riccardo Tisci.—
Luis Giraldo,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Noun
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Throughout these pages, Hutchinson expresses a deep love of prose, of its grand possibilities and subtle confinements.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straitjackets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjackets. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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