as in squeezing
the act or process of reducing the size or volume of something by or as if by pressing
the constant constricting of the animal's throat had caused permanent damage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in shrinking
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 compressing
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
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Recent Examples of constricting
Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
Howard and her team got the company to redesign the uniform after about a year of trying, swapping the constricting top for a looser one.
—Starre Vartan, CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025
Toddlers and babies especially might especially appreciate a break from their constricting seat, and a change in scenery, by talking a walk up and down the aisles with mom or dad.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
Its space is at once endless and constricting.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Wildlife art can be confining, constricting, customary; contemporary artists are assuring its survival and vibrancy by breaking from the traditional.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Some felt trapped, too, in constricting gender roles.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Outside the obscure realm of IEEPA, the Court’s conservative majority can—and almost certainly will—continue to expand presidential power while constricting agencies’ regulatory authority.
—David Pozen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
The belly panel is stretchy enough for your bump to grow and isn’t too constricting.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
The half zip gave temperature control and the relaxed fit never felt constricting.
—Anna Callaghan, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
The downside is that following instructions or tutorials may feel unusually constricting.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Frostbite occurs due to your blood vessels constricting due to the cold.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
The long-sleeve top has a close fit without being constricting, and the wide-leg sweatpants have a drawstring waistband and two side pockets.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Noun
The straight pair has a snug fit that’s not too tight or constricting.
—Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
Howard and her team got the company to redesign the uniform after about a year of trying, swapping the constricting top for a looser one.
—Starre Vartan, CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025
Toddlers and babies especially might especially appreciate a break from their constricting seat, and a change in scenery, by talking a walk up and down the aisles with mom or dad.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
Its space is at once endless and constricting.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Wildlife art can be confining, constricting, customary; contemporary artists are assuring its survival and vibrancy by breaking from the traditional.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
That inconsistency is particularly striking in Florida, a state that has pushed to expand medical freedom for those who wish to avoid vaccines or fluoridated water, while constricting the rights of people in various stages of pregnancy.
—CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Some felt trapped, too, in constricting gender roles.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Outside the obscure realm of IEEPA, the Court’s conservative majority can—and almost certainly will—continue to expand presidential power while constricting agencies’ regulatory authority.
—David Pozen, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
The belly panel is stretchy enough for your bump to grow and isn’t too constricting.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
The half zip gave temperature control and the relaxed fit never felt constricting.
—Anna Callaghan, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
The downside is that following instructions or tutorials may feel unusually constricting.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Frostbite occurs due to your blood vessels constricting due to the cold.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
The long-sleeve top has a close fit without being constricting, and the wide-leg sweatpants have a drawstring waistband and two side pockets.
—Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constricting
Noun
-
Hassan’s team instead squeezed a photon’s intensity and demonstrated real-time control, fluctuating between intensity and phase-squeezing by adjusting the silica’s position relative to the beams.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Over recent years, Illinois has seen a flock of corporations flee to more tax-friendly locations, which means shrinking tax collections and fewer employees to contribute to the income- tax pool.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But results from the new polls indicate the likelihood of that happening is shrinking.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The software includes editing tools for inserting text, annotating, merging, splitting, compressing, and watermarking PDFs.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Compression packing cubes usually end up slightly domed in the center after compressing them.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
They’re made with the brand’s signature 360-degree smoothing panel design and gentle compression for comfy, easy-to-wear bottoms.—
Melony Forcier,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Wanting to investigate further, Huang reached out to Jacopo Ferruzzi, a bioengineer at the University of Texas at Dallas who studies tissue mechanics, or how biological tissues respond and adapt to physical forces such as compression and tension.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Organizers say condensing the South by Southwest Conference and Festival to one weekend for 2026 will increase discovery of new music as attendees from the tech leg of the conference can now partake in the concerts.—
Ramon Ramirez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
-
That’s a symptom of Suda and his team condensing their grand vision into a smaller experience.—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This smoothing tank top is made from a soft material that form-fits to the body and offers compression without constriction.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Symptoms can include throat swelling, airway constriction, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.—
Ann Pietrangelo,
Verywell Health,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There are some recent signs that HALO trading has been decreasing.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Luckily, Sleep Week brings the best mattress sales, at least partially decreasing the strain on your wallet.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Crosby criticized outsourcing, suggesting a key move for the city would be spending less on contracting.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The resolution is strongly worded but also filled with caveats — noting that the district will comply with contracting and procurement laws.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Constricting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constricting. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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