straitjacket

variants also straightjacket
Definition of straitjacketnext
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 Pierce wiggled, jumped, twisted, pulled, huffed and puffed his way out of that straitjacket, taking a little bow at the end. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026 The collection, all black save for splashes of red and silky cream and deep brown plum moments, wasn't worth the wait but had bright spots in utility-style vests and jackets, a black funnel-neck piece with tiers of straps down and around like a straightjacket. Anika Reed, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026 Burns becomes a foil and the butt of jokes of other doctors at the M*A*S*H unit until he is literally driven into a straitjacket. David Morgan, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026 Revenue concerns compared to their direct rivals can be offset by getting back into the Champions League, enabling the club to loosen the financial straitjacket and spend on the players Emery wants, regardless of their age. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjacket
Noun
  • Aurora City Councilman Rob Andrews pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in Arapahoe County District Court on Tuesday and was sentenced to home confinement, probation and community service.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
  • He was acquitted of two counts of criminal confinement.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • In Manatí, near a chain of Taíno caves and the Tortuguero Nature Reserve (the island’s only natural lagoon), Efrén David Robles is expanding the idea of what Puerto Rico offers beyond San Juan’s beaches and El Yunque National Forest.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
  • While HomeGoods is primarily known for its affordable, on-trend selection of furniture, decorative accents, kitchenware, and more, the chain retailer also boasts an incredible selection of delicious snacks that come from all across the globe.
    Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • The plants may have to be removed and monitoring traps may be placed in the area.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2026
  • Sinner with his changes of direction that turned neutral rallies into traps.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • There was a catalog from JCPenney, an EHS yearbook and a copy of the school dress code, which laid out such rules as boys being prohibited from having hair hanging over the top of the ears or lower than their collar and Bermuda shorts being only ones allowed.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
  • Multicolor round beads sat across the lower lace area, while gem embellishments covered the toe box of the low-cut silhouette and continued around the collar.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Straitjacket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjacket. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

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