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
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
Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
The tensions are mounting and the room for error is constricting.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
All the while, opportunities for renewable energy development — which could quickly alleviate some of the pain from electric bills and electricity demand from new industry — are constricting across the state.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025
Remove jewelry or constricting clothing quickly, before any swelling begins.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
Relationships that feel financially or emotionally constricting may feel harder to ignore now.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Sep. 2025
This one is made from ultra-soft mulberry silk that’s lightweight and breathable, and the pull-on style is free of constricting zippers and buttons but has adjustable straps for an ideal fit.
—Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
With the funding environment rapidly constricting, many nonprofits may consider mergers or acquisitions to consolidate and deliver services more efficiently, enabling mission-critical work to continue at a lower cost.
—Andrea Levere, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The silhouette of Gomez’s dress was formfitting without being constricting, emphasizing slight movement and fabric mobility.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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.
—Verb
Make sure to swim in the waters off Princess Margaret Beach, where the late British royal would come to escape the socially constricting confines of Mustique island.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for constricting
Noun
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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.—
Verb
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Scientists believe that shrinking this laser-plasma accelerator (LPA) technology could eventually allow these diagnostic tools to be installed directly at large-scale fusion facilities.—
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That’s a relatively small slice of the pie, and it’s been shrinking in recent years as interest rates have gone up.—
Verb
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Outside the dome, a series of machines connected by undulating pipes moves the CO2 out of the dome for compressing and condensing.—
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Always, understanding comes from pinpointing the relevant factors and forgetting the rest, from compressing nature’s endless intricacies into a human-readable story about the universe.—
Noun
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This impressive deal only applies to the six-piece set, which includes five compression packing cubes and one drawstring bag in select colors.—
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Shortly after, viewers see chest compressions being performed on Jo as Link (Chris Carmack) prays in a church surrounded by candles.—
Verb
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Anyone who’s survived to 2026 knows the upper class’ fictitious fantasies still carry real, wretched consequences for the rest of us, but Season 4 plays out those ongoing scenarios to the nth degree, while condensing them into an appreciable narrative arc.—
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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.—
Noun
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The constriction leads to spikes in blood pressure and heightens a diabetic person’s risk of heart disease.—
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These kinds of vessels are, then, more prone to constriction, upping your risk for a blockage.—
Verb
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For women, this meant decreasing intake to about 400 to 600 calories three days per week, while men reduced calories to around 500 to 700.—
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An expensive habit with a decreasing ROI.—
Noun
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Pearson, an ex-NYPD inspector who was empowered by Adams to exercise significant sway over the city’s law enforcement and contracting operations, hasn’t furnished any text messages in response to discovery demands, Scola wrote.—
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This month, the number of those businesses that are certified for preference in state contracting dropped again, extending a 17-month downward trend.—
Cite this Entry
“Constricting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/constricting. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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