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
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
-
After court officers led Santos out of the courtroom in handcuffs, the Chinatown activist, Karlin Chan, said the sentencing gives the community closure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
-
Chopper 4 captured the moment deputies and troopers chased the man and put him in handcuffs.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
In an attempt to stabilize their attendance base, chains like Six Flags have started to offer all-parks passes to give visitors access to all 42 of their parks and cut into some of the destination market.—
HubSpot,
HubSpot,
1 June 2026
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The study also factors in varying fees paid by different types of retailers, with major chains often able to negotiate lower fees with the credit card companies.—
Shannon Pettypiece,
NBC news,
1 June 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 4 Jun. 2026.
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