📉 Reducing the economy 💪 Tightening muscles

contractionary

8.2

That causes muscles or tissues to become tighter and shorter

adjective
/kənˈtrækʃənˌɛri/

Specialized

: contractivo

Doctors monitor for contractionary responses when testing nerve function in the clinic.

Examples

The medication had a contractionary effect on the patient's muscles during the procedure.
Some herbs are believed to have contractionary properties that affect smooth muscle tissue.
Don't forget the contractionary phase!
The contractionary response is vital.
The medication had a contractionary effect on the patient's muscles during the procedure.
Doctors monitor for contractionary responses when testing nerve function in the clinic.
Some herbs are believed to have contractionary properties that affect smooth muscle tissue.

Synonyms

constrictive

vscontractionary

2 6.2

Making something tight so it is hard to move

is limited to muscles and tissues and used in medical contexts

contractive

vscontractionary

Specialized

1 7.5

Makes a muscle or tissue shorten

is used for things related to tissue tightening rather than directly causing it

Antonyms

relaxing

81 1.0

Making you feel calm and comfortable

How Contractile

contractionary

Specialized

8.2

contractile

Specialized

1 7.4

flaccid

15 7.3

Surface Forms

contractionary positive

Morphology

contractionary = contraction (semi-transparent) = contract + ion + ary

The term 'contractionary' is derived from 'contraction', but its specific physiological meaning might not be immediately clear to all learners.

Etymology

Contractionary comes from the same parts con- ('together') and tract ('pull') as contract and contraction, which mean 'to shorten' or 'to pull in'. So calling something contractionary means it makes muscles or tissue tighten and get shorter.