Standard Lemma guide

constrict

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /kənˈstɹɪkt/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪkt
  • CMU ARPABET: K AH0 N S T R IH1 K T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To narrow, especially by application of pressure.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

Examples

  • constrict the airway
  • constrict blood vessels
  • Clothing that is too tight can constrict blood flow.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To coil around (prey) in order to asphyxiate it. (of a snake)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The snake began to constrict its prey.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To limit or restrict.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: inhibit

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

become tight or as if tight

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Her throat constricted

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: constringe, narrow

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: tighten

Narrower terms: astringe, strangulate

5

verb

Meaning 5

squeeze or press together

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • she compressed her lips
  • the spasm contracted the muscle

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: compress, squeeze, compact, contract, press

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: tighten

Narrower terms: choke, strangle, prim, astringe, strangulate, convulse, bear down, overbear, gag, fret, scrag

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe? Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin cōn- Proto-Indo-European *streyg- Proto-Indo-European *-né- Proto-Indo-European *-ti Proto-Indo-European *strinégti Proto-Italic *stringō Proto-Indo-European *strengh- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *stréngheti Proto-Italic *strengō Latin stringō Latin cōnstringō Latin cōnstrictusbor. English constrict Borrowed from Latin cōnstrictus (“compressed, contracted”), past participle of cōnstringō (“to draw or bind together; to compress”). Doublet of constrain.

Across languages

Translations

24 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: свивам (svivam) — to narrow
  • Bulgarian: стягам (stjagam) — to narrow
  • Bulgarian: стеснявам (stesnjavam) — to narrow
  • Czech: zúžit — to narrow
  • Danish: indsnævre — to narrow
  • Finnish: puristaa — to narrow
  • Finnish: supistaa — to narrow
  • Finnish: kuristaa — to narrow
  • Finnish: surkastaa — to narrow
  • German: einengen — to narrow
  • German: verengen — to narrow
  • Irish: crap — to narrow
  • Latin: praestringō — to narrow
  • Macedonian: сте́гне (stégne) — to narrow
  • Macedonian: сте́сни (stésni) — to narrow
  • Old Church Slavonic: гнести (gnesti) — to narrow
  • Portuguese: constringir — to narrow
  • Spanish: estrechar — to narrow
  • Spanish: constringir — to narrow
  • Turkish: daralmak — to narrow
  • Turkish: sıkışmak — to narrow
  • Turkish: sıkmak — to narrow
  • Turkish: büzmek — to narrow
  • Ottoman Turkish: صیقمق (sıkmak) — to narrow