constrict
/kənˈstrɪkt
/verb [with object]
1Make narrower, especially by encircling pressure: chemicals that constrict the blood vessels (as adjective constricted) constricted air passages...
- It increases the heart rate and blood pressure, constricts the small blood vessels under your skin, causes changes in blood composition and metabolism, and increases the production of hormones.
- Because high blood pressure constricts the blood vessels in the uterus that supply the baby with oxygen and nutrients, the baby's growth may be slowed.
- Doctors treat shock by stabilizing blood pressure with medications that increase the heart rate, constrict large blood vessels, or increase the volume of blood the heart pumps.
Synonyms
narrow, make/become narrower, tighten, compress, contract, make/become smaller, shrink, draw in;
squeeze, choke, strangle, strangulate
archaic straiten
1.1 [no object] Become narrower: he felt his throat constrict...
- Without warning my throat constricted and my eyes filled with tears.
- This junk causes your throat and nose to constrict, immediately reducing lung capacity.
- Her throat constricts, and she swallows painfully, trying to keep her voice steady.
1.2(Of a snake) coil round (prey) in order to asphyxiate it: boas constrict and suffocate their prey...
- But it takes about four minutes for a rat to die of asphyxiation, whereas a snake can constrict a rodent to death in just one.
- Would you rather be bitten by a poisonous snake or constricted by a python?
- The pythons have around 250 teeth and catch their prey by biting, grabbing, then wrapping themselves around the prey and constricting it.
1.3Inhibit or restrict: the fear and the reality of crime constrict many people’s lives...
- And how does your perception of reality enlarge or constrict the life that calls you forward?
- Despite two illustrious parents, the company has been severely constricted for cash.
- But this meant that the economic life of Europe was severely constricted.
Synonyms
impede, restrict, inhibit, obstruct, limit, interfere with, hinder, hamper, check, curb
Derivatives
constrictive
/ adjective ...- Nowadays, many couples are wary of marriage, seeing it as a constrictive arrangement.
- Gradually living becomes easier and every thought and action is in tune with ourselves - an affirmation that removes all constrictive, knotty obstacles.
- The immigration restrictions on the entering of the country for any adult, but certainly for a pregnant adult, can be constrictive.
Origin
Mid 18th century: from Latin constrict- 'bound tightly together', from the verb constringere (see constrain).
Rhymes
- come to (or meet) a sticky end
- come to pass
- come to rest
- come to someone's assistance
- come to someone's knowledge
- come to terms with
- come to that (or if it comes to that)
- come to think of it
- come true
- come under
- come unglued
- come up
- come up against
- come up against (or hit) a brick wall
- come up dry
- come upon
- come up (or be given) with the rations
- come up (or go down) in the world
- come up (or out) smelling of roses
- comeuppance
- come up roses
- come up smiling
- come up with
- come up with (or deliver) the goods
- come what may