1
as in to shrink
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to compress
to reduce in size or volume by or as if by pressing parts or members together
constricted the opening with a clamp
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of constrict
The blood vessels constrict to protect your organs and preserve warmth, which narrows the arteries and increases blood pressure; when this happens, the heart has to work harder to pump blood.
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Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 15 Dec. 2025
To prevent that, the body responds by constricting blood vessels and pumping your heart harder and faster.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 15 Dec. 2025
Seehorn could feel her lane in Hollywood become increasingly constricted.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
While the underlying cause of blemishes and cystic acne is bacteria, a dose of chill can help relieve pain and decrease inflammation by constricting the blood vessels.
—Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for constrict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for constrict
Verb
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Headcount shrank for an 11th straight month, albeit at a slower pace, amid modest production growth.—
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The number of Republicans running for governor in Colorado has shrunk by two.—
Verb
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The ability of the sponge to compress means that over time the rug will weigh down the edges and prevent the rug from looking like it’s raised up onto a surface.—
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Las Vegas has compressed a short stretch of the Strip into a luxury gauntlet that’ll wreck your step count and your credit limit in the same afternoon.—
Verb
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The conversation has been necessarily condensed for clarity and to take out vast numbers of further digressions.—
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Campaigns for special elections are sprints, condensing what typically occurs over the better part of a year into no more than 56 days.—
Verb
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The Panthers squeezed a few end-of-career seasons out of guys such as Dino Ciccarelli and Igor Larionov.—
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Instead, 2026 is about building both stylish and sensible outfits that can take you from the airport to the streets with maximum versatility without ever squeezing into tight, form-fitting fabric.—
Cite this Entry
“Constrict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constrict. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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