constricted 1 of 2

adjective

as in tightened

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

constricted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of constrict
1
as in compressed
to become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter the vessel constricted, thereby reducing the flow of blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in condensed
to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together constricted the opening with a clamp

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 constricted
Verb
Institutional reforms, including the professionalization of government bureaucracies at the federal and local levels, slowly constricted these political machines until the last holdout in Chicago succumbed by the late 1970s. — Kenneth Greene, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026 But Uthmeier has been open about his views that religious people — Christians, particularly — have been wrongly constricted in their ability to express themselves and to participate in government programs. — Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 Space within the ranks of the CCP itself has similarly constricted, with few now willing to consider reforms that might seriously affect the vested interests of entrenched social groups. — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026 Many still want to offer extended sizing but are constricted by what retailers, responding to the rise of GLP-1s, are willing to carry. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026 The narrow hallways were constricted with people trying to escape the fire. — Saleh Mwanamilongo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 This has further constricted trucking activity in and out of the port. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026 After the Philippines attained independence, in 1946, with the country’s economy constricted from more than three centuries of colonization, a diaspora spread around the world. — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 With tanker traffic out of the Persian Gulf constricted over the past six months, higher exports from other countries, especially the US, have helped close the gap and keep prices relatively in check. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constricted
  1. compressed
  2. shrank
  3. condensed
  4. tight
  5. squeezed
  6. linear
  7. attenuated
  8. elongate
Adjective
  • Tesla says the thrusters are powered by compressed air, meaning the car can replenish its thrust capacity on-the-go.
    — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The floor is made from compressed leather scraps produced during the brand’s manufacturing process.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of compressed
Verb
  • The number of congressional battlegrounds nationwide has shrunk with gerrymandering and political polarization, making the district one of about two dozen races that will decide the House majority.
    — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Its gross domestic product has shrunk, and its 10 million residents have endured blackouts, food shortages and inflation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of shrank
Verb
  • Finally, the wind seemed to permanently lie down, though storm clouds still haunted the horizon, forcing the sunset to squeeze beneath them, its rays condensed into a lurid, painterly slash.
    — Heidi Julavits, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Whisk together condensed chicken soup, sour cream, and heavy cream to create a creamy base, then add a splash of brine from the pepperoncini jar along with plenty of sliced pickled and fresh peppers.
    — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of condensed
Adjective
  • Opinion polls predict tight race Domestically, Vucic has pledged higher pensions and public sector salaries, investment in state healthcare and subsidies for young couples.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Both parties expect whoever wins in November to do so by a tight margin in a state of 738,000 people.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of tight
Verb
  • Yet profits have still been squeezed as jet fuel prices surged roughly 90% since the US-Israeli war on Iran began in February, forcing several major carriers to cut earnings forecasts.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, free cash flow at another budget carrier, JetBlue Airways, remains severely squeezed by elevated jet fuel prices.
    — , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeezed
Adjective
  • Today’s musical discoveries rarely happen in a linear fashion, and even teenagers are drawn to older songs alongside present-day releases, both in their way brand new.
    — Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The dropoff came amid a government overhaul of Italy’s tax credit system for indie producers and local audiences shifting from traditional linear TV broadcasters to emerging streaming platforms.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of linear
Adjective
  • But Albert Sabin and Koprowski were both — separately — trying to develop oral polio vaccines using live attenuated or weakened viruses.
    — Helen Branswell, STAT, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Dust icily exposes how character can evaporate in the crucible of greed, but the plodding pace makes this ethical exercise feel attenuated and flat by the time the climax rolls around.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of attenuated
Adjective
  • Built by Van der Graaf, the recreated Atlantic contains plenty of nods to the original’s design, from its elongated hull, elegant lines, and towering 147-foot masts.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The elongated Grand Fish Platter is built for family-style serving—whole fish, roasted vegetables, or really anything worthy of the center of the table.
    — Angela Tafoya, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of elongate

Browse Nearby Words

constrict
constricted
constricting
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Constricted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constricted. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All