constipated

adjective

con·​sti·​pat·​ed ˈkän(t)-stə-ˌpā-təd How to pronounce constipated (audio)
1
: affected with constipation
2
: stilted or stodgy in appearance, expression, or action

Examples of constipated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Dogs cannot process fiber on their own and can easily become constipated from eating too much fiber without the help of a digestible fiber source such as cooked grain or vegetable. Dallas News, 23 Nov. 2022 Test the running speed of constipated scorpions in the lab? Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 15 Sep. 2022 Simpson didn’t want to make or enjoy creating songs for a year, a songwriter’s worst nightmare, a proverbial and disgustingly impractical constipated canary in the coal mine. Riley Van Steward, Forbes, 16 July 2022 As a counterbalance to Al’s devilish energy, Deadwood offers matched sets of emotionally constipated lawmen: Seth Bullock and Wild Bill Hickok. Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 14 Dec. 2021 Someone might be more constipated but in less pain, or vice versa. Colleen Stinchcombe, Health.com, 20 Sep. 2021 And in mouse studies, the technique has been used to manipulate heartbeat and regulate bowel movements of constipated mice. Marc Zimmer, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2021 The five-month scorpion pregnancy provides a lot of time for females to get more and more constipated, says García-Hernández. Bradley Allf, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2021 Those few who are still around at the end will note that in belting out the song, Hudson looks constipated instead of tragic. Kyle Smith, National Review, 19 Dec. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'constipated.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of constipated was in 1547

Dictionary Entries Near constipated

Cite this Entry

“Constipated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constipated. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

constipated

adjective
: affected with constipation

Medical Definition

constipated

adjective
: affected with constipation

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