constricting
Getting progressively tighter
Constricting describes something that squeezes, tightens, or narrows.
A constricting band presses inward.
Constricting blood vessels reduce blood flow.
The word often carries a sense of restriction or suffocation: The rules felt constricting.
A boa constrictor kills by constricting—wrapping around prey and squeezing until it can no longer breathe.
Squeeze-killer or neckwear
- pythonNonvenomous squeezing snake
- anacondaMassive constricting serpent
- coilWound circular arrangement
- embraceHold closely in arms
grip · clasp · stranglehold · encircle · entwine · wrap · bind · cinch
Legally or morally required
- cinchingPulling tight to secure
- tensingMaking or becoming taut
- clampingFixing firmly with pressure
- fasteningJoining two parts together
lashing · strapping · bracing · securing · tautening · stiffening · firming · compacting
Oxygen-rich blood conduit
- veinVessel toward heart
- capillarySmallest blood vessel
- tourniquetCompression band stopping hemorrhage
- compressionForcing into smaller space
occlusion · ischemia · stenosis · vasoconstriction · thrombosis · circulation · cuff · ligature
Enclosed route between spaces
- channelPassage for transmission
- corridorEnclosed connecting walkway
- tunnelEnclosed underground route
- throatNeck's inner passage
gorge · canyon · strait · defile · bottleneck · narrows · squeeze · pinch
Placing limits upon
- confiningLimiting freedom of movement
- restrainingHolding something back
- inhibitingPreventing or slowing action
- curtailingReducing in extent
stifling · suppressing · hampering · hindering · impeding · constraining · throttling · choking
boa
Squeeze-killer or neckwear
embrace · grip · clasp · stranglehold · encircle · entwine · wrap · bind · cinch · bandage
binding
Legally or morally required
fastening · lashing · strapping · bracing · securing · tautening · stiffening · firming · compacting · clinching
artery
Oxygen-rich blood conduit
- veinVessel toward heart
- capillarySmallest blood vessel
- tourniquetCompression band stopping hemorrhage
compression · occlusion · ischemia · stenosis · vasoconstriction · thrombosis · circulation · cuff · ligature · clamp
passageway
Enclosed route between spaces
throat · gorge · canyon · strait · defile · bottleneck · narrows · squeeze · pinch · gap
restricting
Placing limits upon
- confiningLimiting freedom of movement
- restrainingHolding something back
- inhibitingPreventing or slowing action
curtailing · stifling · suppressing · hampering · hindering · impeding · constraining · throttling · choking · blockading
- reducingshrinking, lessening, diminishing, decreasing, cutting back
- reptile traitsscaly, cold-blooded, slithering, forked tongue, shedding skin
- narrowingtapering, squeezing, tightening, funneling, bottleneck
- tighteningtensing, clamping, cinching, tensioning, grip
- tightnesstight, taut, snug, compressed, squeezed
- predationstalking, pursuit, pouncing, attack, killing
constrictingloosening
Reducing tightness or tension
releasing · relaxing · slackening · decompressing · easing
constrictingdilating
Increasing in diameter
expanding · widening · enlarging · dilation · broadening
constrictingfreeing
Releasing from confinement
liberating · releasing · emancipating · unshackling · unburdening