straitjackets

noun

variants also straightjackets
plural of straitjacket
as in handcuffs
a jacket that has long arms which can be tied together behind someone's back and that is used to control the movement (as of a violent prisoner or patient) The magician struggled to free his arms from the straitjacket and escape from the tank of water he was submerged in.

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of straitjackets In any other administration, straitjackets would be the mandatory dress code. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026 Known for its aggressive high-top design, the Air Max2 CB 94’s key features include elastic straps on the tongue said to be inspired by straightjackets, a nod to Barkley’s volatile reputation in the ‘90s. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025 Some plaintiffs allege they were restrained in straitjackets for as long as 16 hours. — Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straitjackets
  1. handcuffs
  2. chains
  3. confinements
Noun
  • One officer then pepper-sprayed the driver in the face as another put him in handcuffs.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Deputies pulled Smith from the vehicle and tried to place him in handcuffs.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of handcuffs
Noun
  • American eating habits are shifting toward high-protein options, prompting major fast-food chains to reimagine traditional morning foods to meet growing consumer demand for functional nutrition.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Other chains found that promotions did little to offset pressure on lower-income consumers.
    — Savyata Mishra, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of chains
Noun
  • Throughout these pages, Hutchinson expresses a deep love of prose, of its grand possibilities and subtle confinements.
    — Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of confinements

Browse Nearby Words

straitjacket
straitjackets
straitlaced
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Straitjackets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjackets. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on straitjackets

Nglish: Translation of straitjackets for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All