straitened; straitening
ˈstrāt-niŋ 
ˈstrā-tᵊn-iŋ
2
archaic
: to restrict in freedom or scope : hamper
3
: to subject to distress, privation, or deficiency
in straitened circumstances
Examples of straiten in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But her circumstances did not remain straitened for long.
—
Jess Bergman, The New Republic, 20 Feb. 2023
Generally, its decisions tend toward loosening rather than straitening the rules.
—Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2019
Despite the fact that the family's construction firm is relatively prosperous due to its generous share of government contracts, the family's finances are considerably straitened.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 9 Mar. 2017
Jess Bergman, The New Republic, 20 Feb. 2023
Generally, its decisions tend toward loosening rather than straitening the rules.
—Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2019
Despite the fact that the family's construction firm is relatively prosperous due to its generous share of government contracts, the family's finances are considerably straitened.
—Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 9 Mar. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'straiten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Straiten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straiten. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
straiten
verb
strait·en
ˈstrāt-ᵊn
straitened; straitening
ˈstrāt-niŋ
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to limit or restrict especially in resources
straitened by misfortune
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