Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To cause constipation in (a person): To make it difficult for someone to have bowel movements, often by slowing down the digestive process.
   • To block or obstruct; to cause a state of sluggishness or congestion: To impede the flow or movement of something, making it slow or stuck, similar to a physical blockage.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (Medical/Bodily Function):
  • Eating too much cheese can constipate some people. (It can cause them to have difficulty passing stool.)
  • The medication is known to constipate patients, so doctors often recommend a high-fiber diet.
• Verb (Figurative, meaning to obstruct or clog):
  • Excessive bureaucracy can constipate the entire decision-making process. (It can slow it down or bring it to a halt.)
  • Too many unresolved issues are starting to constipate the workflow of the team.

Advanced Usage

• "to be constipated" (common adjective form): The state resulting from the action of the verb 'constipate'.
  • After the surgery, he was badly constipated for several days.
• Figurative use for systems or thoughts: Used to describe a state of being blocked, sluggish, or unable to progress.
  • The city's traffic system is completely constipated during rush hour.
  • I feel creatively constipated; no good ideas are coming to me.

Variants and Related Words

• Constipation (n): The condition of being unable to empty your bowels easily, or the state of being blocked or slowed.
  • Chronic constipation requires medical attention.
  • The constipation of information flow was due to a server failure.
• Constipating (adj): Having the quality of causing constipation.
  • Bananas can be constipating for infants.

Synonyms

• For "cause constipation": Bind, obstruct (in a bowel context).
• For "obstruct/clog": Block, congest, impede, jam, slow down, choke.

Antonyms

• For "cause constipation": Loosen, relieve, purge, laxate.
• For "obstruct/clog": Clear, unblock, facilitate, expedite, free.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "To be mentally/creatively constipated": An informal idiom meaning to be unable to think clearly or generate new ideas.
  • I've been staring at the blank page for an hour; I'm completely mentally constipated.
• "A constipated system": A phrase describing any inefficient system (e.g., government, company) where progress is very slow.
  • The approval process is a constipated system that needs complete reform.

Verb

1. cause to be constipated
   • These foods tend to constipate you
2. impede with a clog or as if with a clog
   • The market is being clogged by these operations
   • My mind is constipated today