-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
constipate
verb
con·sti·pate
ˈkän(t)-stə-ˌpāt
constipated; constipating
1
: to cause constipation in
2
: to make immobile, inactive, or dull : stultify
so much clutter … will tend to constipate the novel's working order—The Times Literary Supplement (London)
Examples of constipate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Drink adequate amounts of fluids: People who drink the least are more likely to be constipated, Gomez said.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 14 June 2023
If you’re constipated and can’t poop, pressure from the unrelieved waste could be pressing on those nerves, causing those sore testicles.
—Elizabeth Millard, Men's Health, 31 Mar. 2023
Nowinski’s experience provides a glimpse into how the shortage is constipating companies behind the scenes.
—Jen Wieczner, Fortune, 18 May 2020
Officially, encopresis is a physical and psychological state in which a child who is often constipated begins to associate pooping with pain.
—Lizzie Skurnick, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020
If your child is frequently constipated while potty training, consult with your pediatrician.
—Dina Dimaggio, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2020
Having been intermittently constipated for most of my life, even that seemed ambitious.
—Julie Schott, The Cut, 19 Mar. 2018
Obviously men can be constipated too, but women are much more likely to be constipated than men.
—Mary Allen, Allure, 6 Sep. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near constipate
Cite this Entry
“Constipate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constipate. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
constipate
verb
con·sti·pate
ˈkän(t)-stə-ˌpāt
constipated; constipating
: to cause constipation in
Medical Definition
constipate
transitive verb
con·sti·pate
ˈkän(t)-stə-ˌpāt
constipated; constipating
: to make costive : cause constipation in
More from Merriam-Webster on constipate
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share