straitjacket

noun

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 Forced to walk around, and even sleep, in a steel straightjacket with his neck permanently raised high, the once carefree Christophe begins to shut down to both his classmates and family. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 The icy straitjacket that kept the rocks from collapsing was no longer there. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 May 2026 In any other administration, straitjackets would be the mandatory dress code. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026 First Man, the Neil Armstrong biopic that is Chazelle’s second collaboration with Gosling, feels like watching Gosling act his way out of a straitjacket. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for straitjacket
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjacket
  1. confinement
  2. chain
  3. trap
  4. collar
Noun
  • After being released from prison into in-home confinement in December, Shah has officially completed her federal sentence.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • After his original arrest by the Mokena Police Department, Alsaidi was ordered released on conditions of electronic monitoring and home confinement by Will County Judge Theodore Jarz.
    — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of confinement
Noun
  • There are also opportunities in companies which are benefiting from inflation and scarcity across the AI chain, Fidelity said.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • That’s why some are tapping these chains of Mac minis or Mac Studios.
    — Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of chain
Noun
  • Speaking with the New York Times in December, Teresa Griffin, a wildlife manager with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, shared that the group traps and releases about 60 beavers a year.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
  • From plates and knives not being clean to flies stuck on traps, health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous violations at Kansas City-area restaurants last week.
    — Joseph Hernandez August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of trap
Noun
  • This one from Quince hits at the perfect length, right below the hips, and the dark-brown collar and cuffs are incredibly rich-looking.
    — Anna Traver, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The upper of the latter shoe is paired with the sole unit of the former as an answer to calls from consumers for a version of Norda’s flagship shoe with a padded collar.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of collar

Browse Nearby Words

straitens
straitjacket
straitjackets
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Cite this Entry

“Straitjacket.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjacket. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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