Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make narrower or tighter by squeezing or pressing: To cause something to become smaller or tighter, especially by applying pressure from the sides.
   • To limit or restrict: To inhibit or restrain the free development, action, or expression of something.

Usage

• Primary Meaning (Physical Tightening): Used to describe the action of something becoming physically tighter or narrower, often involuntarily.
• Secondary Meaning (Restricting): Used in a figurative sense to describe the action of limiting or suppressing something, such as freedom, growth, or expression.

Examples

• Physical Tightening:
  • The snake can constrict its prey.
  • Cold air can constrict blood vessels.
  • Her throat began to constrict with anxiety.
• Restricting/Inhibiting:
  • Strict regulations can constrict economic growth.
  • Fear of failure constricted his creativity.

Advanced Usage

• "to constrict one's options": to severely limit the available choices.
  • The new budget constraints will constrict our options for the project.
• "to feel constricted": to feel physically or emotionally limited or confined.
  • He felt constricted by the expectations of his family.

Variants and Related Words

• Constriction (n): The action of making something narrower or tighter; a feeling of tightness or restriction.
  • The constriction in his chest was a symptom.
• Constrictive (adj): Serving to constrict or bind.
  • The bandage was too constrictive.
• Constrictor (n): Something that constricts, especially a type of snake that kills by coiling around its prey.
  • The boa is a well-known constrictor.

Synonyms

• Compress: To press or squeeze something so that it takes up less space.
• Contract: To draw together or make smaller.
• Squeeze: To press firmly from all sides.
• Restrict: To put a limit on; to keep under control.
• Inhibit: To hinder, restrain, or prevent.

Antonyms

• Expand: To become or make larger or more extensive.
• Dilate: To make or become wider, larger, or more open.
• Loosen: To make less tight or firm.

Related Phrases

• "to constrict the flow": to limit or reduce the movement or availability of something.
  • The blockage constricted the flow of water.

Verb

1. become tight or as if tight
   • Her throat constricted
2. squeeze or press together
   • she compressed her lips
   • the spasm contracted the muscle