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GRE vocabulary

constrict

verbHigh-frequency wordMore C words

to make something narrower or tighter; to limit or restrict freedom or development

Word origin: From Latin constringere, to draw tight.

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In a sentence

Constrict in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing constrict in a sentence.

Excessive regulation can constrict innovation and discourage entrepreneurs from taking risks.

Critics argued that the new licensing rules would constrict competition by favoring established firms.

Synonyms
compressnarrowrestrictinhibit
Antonyms
expandwidenliberateenlarge

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Verbal · Text Completion

The historian argued that the empire's collapse was not blank but the predictable outcome of decades of fiscal mismanagement that contemporaries had simply refused to acknowledge.

Select the word that best completes the sentence.

Usage & nuance

Using “constrict” well

Constrict applies both physically, as a vessel narrows, and figuratively, as rules limit freedom. It overlaps with restrict but adds a sense of tightening or squeezing rather than merely setting bounds.

Common questions

Questions about “constrict”

Constrict (verb) means to make something narrower or tighter; to limit or restrict freedom or development
Here is constrict used in an example sentence: "Excessive regulation can constrict innovation and discourage entrepreneurs from taking risks." Another example: "Critics argued that the new licensing rules would constrict competition by favoring established firms."
Common synonyms for constrict include compress, narrow, restrict, inhibit.
Antonyms of constrict include expand, widen, liberate, enlarge.
Clusters with compress, narrow, restrict, and inhibit in Sentence Equivalence. Antonyms expand, widen, liberate, and enlarge mark the opposing direction.
Yes. Constrict is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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