straitjacket

variants also straightjacket
as in confinement
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of straitjacket This means that the straitjacket of sanctions has been loosened for Kim. Daniel R. Russel, Foreign Affairs, 12 June 2018 The undiluted isolationism of his campaign messaging could prove to be a straitjacket that paralyzes the Trump administration’s foreign policy at a critical time. Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024 Trump should make clear that Washington will no longer allow the accord to impose a straitjacket on broader U.S. policy in the Middle East. Tzvi Kahn, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2017 Lagrange’s method, despite seeming like a mere mathematical convenience at the time, loosened the straitjacket of Newton’s mechanistic view of the universe as a sequence of falling dominos. Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjacket
Noun
  • Biden commuted Peltier’s sentence, ordering the remainder of his sentence to be served in home confinement.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Despite noting the couple violated the public’s trust and that the husband lied on the witness stand, a federal judge on Wednesday gave the Wades strikingly lenient sentences: three years of probation for Carolyn, including 90 days of home confinement, and 90 days of prison time for Tracy.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Artificial Intelligence will soon take fast-food orders at 500 major chains including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC.
    Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The Cheesecake Factory menu gets a makeover The casual dining restaurant chain is ditching 13 menu items and replacing them with 20 new dishes and cocktails.
    Jade Walker, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, a recent IRS Chief Counsel memorandum shows that these traps can also ensnare the IRS.
    Matthew Roberts, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • This is the trap Chelsea fell into last season when Arsenal’s Ben White ghosted behind five of their players and volleyed a shot into the far corner.
    Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The high collar with a keyhole neckline adds a chic element that can pair with your best strappy heels or chunky wedges.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The spring-ready button-down has elevated pearl eyelet detailing on the collar and down the center with an eyelet pattern throughout.
    Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Straitjacket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjacket. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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