Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Made narrower or tighter, especially by pressure or squeezing: Describes something that has become physically narrower or tighter, often due to external force or internal tension.
   • Limited or restricted in scope, outlook, or feeling: Describes something that is narrow, restricted, or not open, often in a psychological or metaphorical sense.
   • Especially tense or tight in sound or manner: Used to describe a voice, style, or dialect that sounds tight, strained, or restricted.

Usage Examples

• Physical Narrowing:

  • The patient had a constricted artery, reducing blood flow to the heart.
  • She felt a constricted feeling in her chest during the anxiety attack.

• Limited Scope or Outlook:

  • His constricted worldview prevented him from understanding other cultures.
  • The report offered a surprisingly constricted analysis of the economic factors.

• Tense Sound or Manner:

  • Her voice was constricted with emotion as she gave the speech.
  • He spoke in a constricted, formal tone during the meeting.

Advanced Usage

• "to feel constricted": to feel physically tight or limited in movement, or to feel psychologically restricted.

  • The small room made him feel constricted and anxious.
  • She felt constricted by the rigid rules of the organization.

• "a constricted sense of": a very narrow or limited understanding of something.

  • The policy was based on a constricted sense of national interest.

Variants and Related Words

• Constrict (verb): To make narrower or tighter by squeezing or contracting; to limit or restrict.

  • The snake can constrict its prey.
  • Fear can constrict one's ability to think clearly.

• Constriction (noun): The action of making something narrower or tighter; a feeling of tightness or restriction.

  • The constriction of the blood vessel was dangerous.
  • He felt a constriction in his throat.

Synonyms

• Narrowed: Made less wide.
• Restricted: Limited in extent, number, or scope.
• Tightened: Made or become tight or tighter.
• Limited: Restricted in size, amount, or extent.

Antonyms

• Dilated: Made wider or larger.
• Expanded: Made larger or more extensive.
• Broad: Wide in range or amount.
• Open: Not restricted or limited.

Related Phrases

• Constricted view/perspective: A narrow or limited way of seeing or understanding something.

  • His constricted perspective on art ignored modern movements.

• Constricted airway/passage: A narrowed path for air or other substances to flow through.

  • Asthma can cause a constricted airway, making breathing difficult.

Adjective

1. drawn together or squeezed physically or by extension psychologically
   • a constricted blood vessel
   • a constricted view of life
2. especially tense; especially in some dialects