straiten
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for straiten, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make something narrower, or squeeze it into a smaller space.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To make something narrower, or squeeze it into a smaller space.
“The channel straitened the river through the town, made it flow faster, and caused more flooding upstream.”
Opposites
2. verb
To limit or reduce something, especially money.
“Rising costs put those on fixed incomes in straitened circumstances.”
