constrict

American  

[kuhn-strikt] / kənˈstrɪkt /

verb (used with object)

• constricts,
  present (3rd person singular)
• constricted,
  past participle,  past
• constricting
  present participle

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.

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constrict British  

/ kənˈstrɪkt /

verb

1. to make smaller or narrower, esp by contracting at one place

2. to hold in or inhibit; limit

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonconstricted
  adjective
• nonconstricting
  adjective
• unconstricted
  adjective
• well-constricted
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• constricting
  present
• constricted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• constrict
  simple
• constricts
  simple
• have constricted
  perfect
• has constricted
  perfect
• am constricting
  progressive
• are constricting
  progressive
• is constricting
  progressive
• have been constricting
  perfect progressive
• has been constricting
  perfect progressive

Past

• constricted
  simple
• had constricted
  perfect
• was constricting
  progressive
• were constricting
  progressive
• had been constricting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will constrict
  simple
• will have constricted
  perfect
• will be constricting
  progressive
• will have been constricting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of constrict

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; see strict) + -tus past participle suffix

Explanation

To constrict is to squeeze uncomfortably. If your new turtleneck sweater constricts your neck, the sweater is probably too small. When things constrict, they become narrow or make something else become narrow. A boa constrictor kills its prey when it constricts the animal's body until it can no longer breathe, and a necktie that's tied too tightly constricts your neck. In medicine, certain conditions or medications can constrict openings such as airways or blood vessels, sometimes dangerously. The Latin root is constringere, "to bind together or tie tightly."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

constrict constricts constricted constricting

But some economists have criticised the expected hike as it could constrict growth further in the sluggish eurozone by making it more costly for households and businesses to borrow.

From Barron's ● Jun. 8, 2026

The team found that this brain region is also linked to nerves that constrict blood vessels, which increases blood pressure.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 22, 2026

The rapid timetable is designed to constrict the amount of time the two parties have to build a campaigning infrastructure in the constituency.

From BBC ● Jan. 26, 2026

“If you bring the caps down, you’re going to constrict credit,” Bank of America Chief Executive Brian Moynihan said Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 16, 2026

When he picks up Werner’s radio and sets it back down without commenting, Werner feels the ceiling slip lower, the walls constrict.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

Such reactions can range from responses with “no clinical manifestations” to irritating rashes to life-threatening conditions such as anaphylactic shock, which constricts breathing and impairs motor function.

From Salon ● Apr. 4, 2026

They expect Akamai’s core content-delivery business, which centers on moving data across the internet, to transition from a double-digit decliner to generally stable as the industry constricts and traffic trends improve.

From Barron's ● Jan. 12, 2026

These two brief scenes quickly and credibly evoke a complex bond, and a family life that constricts in some ways and comforts in others.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025

The Channel Islands can also act as a “shield” that constricts sound within the Santa Barbara Channel, enabling noise to rattle around more than it would in deeper, more open ocean waters, according to ZoBell.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 2024

My chest constricts as a wave of homesickness overwhelms me.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

As the water moves beyond the constricted section, pressure rises and the bubbles violently collapse.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 20, 2026

Shipments of sulfur from Canada were up sharply as global supplies were constricted by the war and the squeeze on goods moving through the Strait of Hormuz.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

Scarring, or fibrosis, leaves the usually stretchy organ tight and constricted, meaning it is less able to fill with and hold urine.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

Physical capacity across the world is constricted by a variety of chokepoints, some natural like Hormuz, some man-made like tariffs.

From MarketWatch ● May 15, 2026

His heart constricted at the thought of his queen being taken before her time.

From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo

In commodities, the team favors base industrial metals like aluminum, nickel, lead, and zinc, as artificial-intelligence and military buildouts increase demand while reinvestment rates by miners remain low, constricting supply.

From Barron's ● May 13, 2026

Like the milieu in which they’re set, prison movies can be terribly constricting.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2026

Historically low mortgage rates followed by inflation fueled price appreciation and resulted in a lock-in effect for owners that is constricting the supply of homes for sale.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 10, 2026

The album capped a lengthy, constricting record label contract that Charli had been trying to optimize for years, to varying success.

From Salon ● Feb. 8, 2026

Anger suddenly filled me, constricting my air passages, pressing my nostrils shut.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• circumscribe
• compress
• cramp