View synonyms for

straiten

[streyt-n]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to put into difficulties, especially financial ones.
His obligations had straitened him.
to restrict in range, extent, amount, pecuniary means, etc.
Poverty straitens one's way of living.
Archaic.��
1. to make narrow.
2. to confine within narrow limits.

straiten

/ ˈ��ٰ��ɪ��ə�� /

verb

(tr; usually passive) to embarrass or distress, esp financially
(tr) to limit, confine, or restrict
archaic��to make or become narrow

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of straiten¹

First recorded in 1515–25; strait + -en ¹

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

If their circumstances are straitened, dreaming is free; Issa and Anton build an imaginary future for him on the basis of watching a dot move on a GPS map.

From

Alfie may never realize his romantic fantasies, but his Romanticism transcends his straitened horizons.

From

Nigeria is currently facing straitened economic times and many are desperate to find a way to boost their income.

From

At the same time, with the country’s straitened economy, parties are reluctant to be seen to be making unfunded spending commitments on anything, including green initiatives.

From

It makes sense that the industry should want to express its gratitude for shows that have managed — particularly in these straitened times — to pull in audiences from outside the usual theatergoing demographic.

From

strait straitened

Browse