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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of straitjackets
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
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
-
As he was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs, Mangione lodged his own objection, yelling out to spectators seated in the gallery.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The decision to start the state trial June 8 dramatically changed the timeline for the defense, prompting Mangione, 27, to have an outburst as he was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Fast-food chains like Shake Shack and Chipotle are among those that have rolled out high-protein, lower-carb menus, as Fox News Digital previously reported.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Load your car with winter travel gear, including tire chains, ice scraper/snowbrush, jumper cables, and road flares.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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 7 Feb. 2026.
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