constriction
Vessel walls closing
Constriction is the act of squeezing, tightening, or narrowing.
Blood vessels undergo constriction when they contract.
A constriction in a pipe reduces flow.
The word applies to physical sensations—a constriction in her chest—and figurative limits: the constrictions of small-town life.
Something that constricts creates constriction.
Firm bilateral compression
- compressReduce volume by force
- tightenMake more secure
- clampDevice for holding tight
- pinchSqueeze with fingertips
grip · crush · cinch · tourniquet · strangle · choke · wring · knead
Abnormal bodily narrowing
- narrowingReduction in width
- blockageObstruction halting movement
- occlusionComplete closure or blockage
- spasmInvoluntary muscle contraction
bronchospasm · vasoconstriction · esophageal · airway · throat · arterial · venous · sphincter
Reduction in width
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- chokepointNarrow passage limiting movement
- straitConstricted marine passage
- gorgeDeep, narrow valley
isthmus · defile · channel · throat · gullet · corridor · tunnel · gap
State of being constricted
- pressureForce upon contact
- squeezingPressing inward firmly
- tensionStretched or strained state
- suffocationFatal lack of air
breathlessness · chest · throat · panic · anxiety · claustrophobia · smothering · oppression
Thick twisted fibers
- knotTied rope fastening
- ligatureCord for binding
- tieEqual score, or neckwear
- cordFlexible twisted strand
strap · cinch · harness · tourniquet · bandage · wrap · tether · lashing
Limiting condition or rule
- limitationBound on extent
- restraintControl over impulses
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
- curbRaised road margin
barrier · impediment · hindrance · obstacle · encumbrance · curtailment · suppression · stifling
squeeze
Firm bilateral compression
pinch · grip · crush · cinch · tourniquet · strangle · choke · wring · knead · compact
stenosis
Abnormal bodily narrowing
- narrowingReduction in width
- blockageObstruction halting movement
- occlusionComplete closure or blockage
spasm · bronchospasm · vasoconstriction · esophageal · airway · throat · arterial · venous · sphincter · pyloric
narrowing
Reduction in width
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- chokepointNarrow passage limiting movement
- straitConstricted marine passage
gorge · isthmus · defile · channel · throat · gullet · corridor · tunnel · gap · crevice
tightness
State of being constricted
suffocation · breathlessness · chest · throat · panic · anxiety · claustrophobia · smothering · oppression · strangling
rope
Thick twisted fibers
cord · strap · cinch · harness · tourniquet · bandage · wrap · tether · lashing · truss
constraint
Limiting condition or rule
- limitationBound on extent
- restraintControl over impulses
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
curb · barrier · impediment · hindrance · obstacle · encumbrance · curtailment · suppression · stifling · cramping
- animal behaviorsswimming, running, walking, jumping, flying
- blockagesblockage, dam, clog, congestion, drain clog
- plumbing problemsleak, leaks, clog, clogs, burst pipe
- predator traitssharp teeth, sharp claws, fangs, claws, talons
- reflexesreflex, reflexes, reflex action, reflex response, quick reflexes
- size changesenlarge, enlargement, expand, expansion, shrink
constrictiondilation
Widening of an opening
expansion · widening · opening · distension · distention
constrictionexpansion
Increase in scope
decompression · inflation · relaxation · distension · swelling