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constipate

verb
con·​sti·​pate | \ ˈkän(t)-stə-ˌpāt How to pronounce constipate (audio) \
constipated; constipating

Definition of constipate

transitive verb

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

 Having been intermittently constipated for most of my life, even that seemed ambitious. — Julie Schott, The Cut, "If You Want Clear Skin, Look at Your Poop," 19 Mar. 2018 Obviously men can be constipated too, but women are much more likely to be constipated than men. — Mary Allen, Allure, "8 Things to Know About Your Poop," 6 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'constipate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of constipate

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for constipate

Medieval Latin constipatus, past participle of constipare, from Latin, to crowd together, from com- + stipare to pack tight — more at stiff

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More Definitions for constipate

constipate

transitive verb
con·​sti·​pate | \ ˈkän(t)-stə-ˌpāt How to pronounce constipate (audio) \
constipated; constipating

Medical Definition of constipate

: to make costive : cause constipation in

More from Merriam-Webster on constipate

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with constipate

Spanish Central: Translation of constipate

Nglish: Translation of constipate for Spanish Speakers

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