constrict

[ kuhn-strikt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to draw or press in; cause to contract or shrink; compress.

   Synonyms: tighten, bind, squeeze, cramp

   Antonyms: expand

2. to slow or stop the natural course or development of:

   Greed and aggressiveness constricted the nation's cultural life.

constrict

/ kənˈstrɪkt /

verb

1. to make smaller or narrower, esp by contracting at one place
2. to hold in or inhibit; limit

Other Words From

• noncon·stricted adjective
• noncon·stricting adjective
• uncon·stricted adjective
• well-con·stricted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of constrict¹

1375–1425 for earlier past participle sense; 1725–35 for current senses; late Middle English < Latin constrīctus (past participle of constringere to draw together, tie up), equivalent to con- con- + strīc- (variant stem of stringere to tie; strict ) + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of constrict¹

C18: from Latin constrictus compressed, from constringere to tie up together; see constrain

Example Sentences

In plays such as “The Whale,” “Pocatello” and “A Permanent Image,” he closely examines the sociological landscape, the way economics and culture constrict and magnify, imprison and potentially liberate this thing we call the self.

From Los Angeles Times

They placed her on Levophed, a powerful blood pressure support that could do nothing to treat the infection and posed a new threat: The medication can constrict blood flow so much that patients could need an amputation once stabilized.

From Salon

Ice water may constrict blood vessels and cause cramping.

From Salon

They would close their eyes and move their ears and whiskers forward when feeling friendly, or constrict their pupils while flattening their ears and flicking their tongues when feeling aggressive.

From Salon

"Astronauts are physically very capable, but they can struggle on the moon, where gravity is one-sixth that of Earth's but their inertia is still the same. Furthermore, wearing a spacesuit is a significant burden and can constrict their movements," says Harry Asada, professor of mechanical engineering at MIT.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• circumscribe
• compress
• cramp