constrict

verb con·strict \ kən-ˈstrikt \

Updated on: 28 Nov 2017

Definition of constrict

transitive verb

1 a : to make narrow or draw together

Smoking constricts blood vessels.

b : compress, squeeze

constrict a nerve

These shoes are too small and they constrict my feet.

2 : to stultify, stop, or cause to falter : inhibit

The expectation of violence constricts our lives.
—Marge Piercy

intransitive verb

: to become constricted

The drug causes the blood vessels to constrict.

—

constrictive

play \kən-ˈstrik-tiv\ adjective

See constrict defined for English-language learners

See constrict defined for kids

Examples of constrict in a Sentence

The drug is used to constrict blood vessels.
The declining economy has constricted job opportunities.
a life constricted by poverty and disease
He felt constricted by their notions of what was proper.

Recent Examples of constrict from the Web

That means commuters coming from southeastern suburbs such as Clear Lake and Dickinson next week will face rough going as traffic constricts from four to two lanes for a few days.

— dug begley, Houston Chronicle, "I-45 lanes shuttered this weekend reopening slowly," 1 Nov. 2017
Basically, if a frozen cap sits on your hair, blood flow to the follicles becomes constricted.

— Health.com, "Using a Cold Cap Saved My Hair During Chemo, but It Was One of the Most Painful Things I’ve Ever Done," 30 Oct. 2017
Basically, if a frozen cap sits on your hair, blood flow to the follicles becomes constricted.

— as told to kristin canning, PEOPLE.com, "How a Cold Cap Saved My Hair During Chemo, but Was One of the Most Painful Things I’ve Ever Done," 30 Oct. 2017
Their body language was constricted

— susan dominus, New York Times, "When the Revolution Came for Amy Cuddy," 18 Oct. 2017
Though scientists aren't sure exactly why cold or heat might reduce DOMS, it is known that the two have opposite physiological effects: Cold constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow, while heat dilates vessels and increases flow.

— robert j. davis, CNN, "Cherry juice and other ways to reduce post-exercise soreness," 11 Oct. 2017
Los Angeles’s running game was constricted and mostly independent from its passing game.

— andy benoit, SI.com, "The Truth About Jared Goff," 18 Sep. 2017
And deterrence can be paired with efforts to alter this reality by containing North Korean provocations and constricting its nuclear arsenal, whether through negotiations, sanctions, or cyberattacks.

— uri friedman, The Atlantic, "Can America Live With a Nuclear North Korea?," 14 Sep. 2017
The growth in pro-independence feeling appears to be a reaction to Hong Kong’s constricted political space, and to a sense that the territory’s own uniqueness is being undermined.

— The Economist, "BanyanIf you think protest is finished in Hong Kong, think again," 19 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'constrict.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Arteries constricted by cholesterol slow the flow of blood, just as traffic arteries or highways constricted by accidents slow the flow of traffic. But constriction isn't always physical. Economic growth may be constricted by trade barriers. A narrow, constricted life may be the result of poverty or lack of opportunity. And an actress may feel constricted by a role she played as a child or by her TV character from years ago, which the public refuses to forget.

Origin and Etymology of constrict

Latin constrictus, past participle of constringere — see constrain

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1732

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constrict Synonyms

Synonyms

compress, condense, contract, shrink

Antonyms

balloon, expand, snowball, swell

Related Words

collapse, deflate, flatten; dry up, shrivel, wilt, wither; abate, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen; recede, retreat, withdraw

Near Antonyms

accumulate, grow, increase; balloon, inflate, puff (up)

Synonym Discussion of constrict

contract, shrink, condense, compress, constrict, deflate mean to decrease in bulk or volume. contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length.

- caused her muscles to contract

shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions.

- the sweater will shrink when washed

condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content.

- condense the essay into a paragraph

compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance.

- compressed cotton into bales

constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter.

- the throat is constricted by a tight collar

deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas.

- deflate the balloon

CONSTRICT Defined for English Language Learners

constrict

verb

Definition of constrict for English Language Learners

: to make (something) narrower, smaller, or tighter
: to become narrower, smaller, or tighter
: to prevent or keep (something or someone) from developing freely

CONSTRICT Defined for Kids

constrict

verb con·strict \ kən-ˈstrikt \

Definition of constrict for Students

constricted; constricting

: to make narrower, smaller, or tighter by drawing together : squeeze

The coldness inside of him had moved upward into his throat constricting it.
—Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia

Medical Dictionary

constrict

transitive verb con·strict \ kən-ˈstrikt \

medical Definition of constrict

1 : to make narrow or draw together

constrict the pupil of the eye

2 : to subject (as a body part) to compression

constrict a nerve

intransitive verb

: to become constricted

—

constrictive

play \-ˈstrik-tiv\ adjective

Learn More about constrict

See words that rhyme with constrict Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for constrict Spanish Central: Translation of constrict Nglish: Translation of constrict for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of constrict for Arabic speakers

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constrict

Definition of constrict

constrictive

From the M-W Editors

Examples of constrict in a Sentence

Recent Examples of constrict from the Web

Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of constrict

constrict Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of constrict

CONSTRICT Defined for English Language Learners

constrict

Definition of constrict for English Language Learners

CONSTRICT Defined for Kids

constrict

Definition of constrict for Students

Medical Dictionary

constrict

medical Definition of constrict

constrictive

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