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
-
Bodycam footage shows officers informing him of the warrant while his mother questions the need for handcuffs.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Colt Gray, the teen accused of the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School, appeared in handcuffs Tuesday with a new attorney by his side for his latest status hearing.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Al Jazeera reported that monks and rescue workers collaborated to form human chains via which treasures were passed from the burning building to safety.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
15 June 2026
-
These days, the Yum Brands unit is facing stiff competition, both from upstart chicken chains and legacy giants like McDonald’s that are betting big on the growing global popularity of chicken.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
15 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 17 Jun. 2026.
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