variants
also straightjackets
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
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
Noun
-
The officer was then recorded repeatedly punching Suarez, before placing him in handcuffs, court documents show.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Okaloosa sheriff’s office said Gillum was arrested without incident Wednesday night at a hotel in Destin, and posted a photo of him being led away in handcuffs.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In fact, Flytrex has partnered with several other fast-food chains, including Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Kebabs to Go and El Pollo Loco.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
To address this, Cotton Incorporated collaborated with leading global researchers to quantify plastic leakage across both cotton and synthetic value chains, spanning fast fashion and more traditional apparel categories.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Throughout these pages, Hutchinson expresses a deep love of prose, of its grand possibilities and subtle confinements.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straitjackets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straitjackets. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
