straitened

American  

[streyt-nd] / ˈstreɪt nd /

adjective

1. characterized by financial difficulty or limited means.

   His early death left his widow and five young children in straitened circumstances.

2. restricted or limited; narrow or confining.

   She released her album on the Internet as a way of avoiding the “straitened formats” of radio and TV, she said.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of straiten.

Etymology

Origin of straitened

First recorded in 1520–30 straitened for def. 3; in 1600–10 straitened for defs. 1, 2; straiten ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; straiten ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

straitened

Young scientists are naturally reluctant to expose themselves to anti-science obloquy; the straitened condition of the national press has led to mass layoffs of journalists with the knowledge and skill to communicate scientific truths.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2025

Nigeria is currently facing straitened economic times and many are desperate to find a way to boost their income.

From BBC ● Apr. 15, 2025

But merchants and analysts said the dollarization boost has proven insufficient in the face of limited credit, a depreciating local currency, higher taxes, straitened public spending amid lower oil income, and rising utility bills.

From Reuters ● Sep. 1, 2023

But that doesn’t mean an economically straitened Britain won’t throw an extravagant party as it crowns its first king in seven decades in May.

From New York Times ● Jan. 21, 2023

Because of our straitened circumstances, my mother moved to Qunu, a slightly larger village north of Mvezo, where she would have the support of friends and relations.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela