constrict
Americanverb (used with object)
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constricts,
present (3rd person singular)
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constricted,
past participle, past
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constricting
present participle
verb
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to make smaller or narrower, esp by contracting at one place
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to hold in or inhibit; limit
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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nonconstrictedadjective
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nonconstrictingadjective
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unconstrictedadjective
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well-constrictedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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constrictsimple
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constrictssimple
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have constrictedperfect
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has constrictedperfect
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am constrictingprogressive
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are constrictingprogressive
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is constrictingprogressive
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have been constrictingperfect progressive
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has been constrictingperfect progressive
Past
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constrictedsimple
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had constrictedperfect
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was constrictingprogressive
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were constrictingprogressive
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had been constrictingperfect progressive
Future
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."
Vocabulary lists containing constrict
Bridge to Terabithia
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"The Leap," Vocabulary from the short story
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Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 1)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Iran’s nearly $8 billion crypto ecosystem is growing, and Treasury has moved aggressively to constrict it at the point where crypto must be converted into usable currency, such as dollars.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026
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 KWS has not commented on the allegation about the car park but said that the public had been consulted about the plan to constrict a new orphanage.
From BBC ● 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
Now he knew that every pore in his body could constrict with terror.
From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste
The book powerfully constricts as it nears the final appointment, describing a terrible itinerary of last things—David’s last meal, his last change of clothing, his last bit of paperwork.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
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
Angiotensin II constricts blood vessels, raising blood pressure, while angiotensin 1-7 relaxes blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 28, 2024
My chest constricts as a wave of homesickness overwhelms me.
From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy
But Situational was constricted: Anthropic had the right to approve of any transfer of its privately held shares, so the fund could only pitch those with existing stakes in Anthropic.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 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
This constricted geographical footprint matters for Moderna from a revenue perspective.
From Barron's ● May 8, 2026
Gay was staring out at a jet that was coming in for a landing with a constricted expression on her face.
From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
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
With all manner of industries constricting and AI threatening entry-level positions, many people have become delivery drivers, full-time or as an economically necessary side gig.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 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
Rising demand for silver-backed ETFs has also absorbed more of the metal, further constricting supply.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2025
He could feel his throat constricting again, and he focused on that, knowing it kept him in one piece while he was here.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
