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

OTHER WORDS FROM constrict

non·con·strict·ed, adjectivenon·con·strict·ing, adjectiveun·con·strict·ed, adjectivewell-con·strict·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use constrict in a sentence

The pressure against my throat seemed completely constricting.
Mailer’s Letters Pack a Punch and a Surprising Degree of Sweetness|Ronald K. Fried|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If his Ethicist gig ever winds up feeling too constricting, he can always launch a column called The Sophist.
Forget the Wife Beating—Are You Ready for Some Football?|Steve Almond|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some teachers initially disliked the new approach, the superintendent acknowledges, regarding it as too constricting.
How to Fix Public Education|David L. Kirp|May 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
How would you talk your temples into throbbing and your throat into constricting?
Jonathan Rauch's 'Denial', Part 3|David Frum|May 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST

It is not a constricting force when properly understood and implemented.
Libyans Say Sharia Will Be Law of the Land|Jamie Dettmer|December 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Already the doctors drug had begun to loosen the bands of pain constricting the captains brow.
Cursed|George Allan England
By constricting the ducts of the glands they diminish the secretion of those glands, because denying it an exit.
The Action of Medicines in the System|Frederick William Headland
"There he comes now," David replied, his heart pounding wildly and dread constricting his throat.
The Happy End|Joseph Hergesheimer
Brandon's anger pounded up into his head in great waves of constricting passion.
The Cathedral|Sir Hugh Walpole
It could coil its body around them, and crush them with the constricting power of its muscles.
The Forest Exiles|Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for constrict

constrict

/ (kənˈstrɪkt) /

verb (tr)

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

to hold in or inhibit; limit

Word Origin for constrict

C18: from Latin constrictus compressed, from constringere to tie up together; see constrain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for constrict

constrict

[ kən-strĭkt′ ]

To make smaller or narrower, especially by binding or squeezing.

constrict

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Origin of constrict

OTHER WORDS FROM constrict

Words related to constrict

How to use constrict in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for constrict

Word Origin for constrict

Medical definitions for constrict