shackle

1 of 2

noun

shack·​le ˈsha-kəl How to pronounce shackle (audio)
1
: something (such as a manacle or fetter) that confines the legs or arms
2
: something that checks or prevents free action as if by fetters
usually used in plural
3
: a usually U-shaped fastening device secured by a bolt or pin through holes in the end of the two arms
4
: a length of cable or anchor chain of usually 15 fathoms

shackle

2 of 2

verb

shackled; shackling ˈsha-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce shackle (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: to bind with shackles : fetter
b
: to make fast with or as if with a shackle
2
: to deprive of freedom especially of action by means of restrictions or handicaps : impede
shackler noun
Choose the Right Synonym for shackle

hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting.

hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice
a people manacled by tyranny

Examples of shackle in a Sentence

Noun placed shackles on the legs of the prisoners the shackles of illiteracy can be just as confining as leg irons Verb The guard shackled the prisoner. unwilling to shackle the dogs to the wall of the house
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Basically, the more players break the shackles of Zenoiran tyranny, the more sophisticated, flexible and powerful the Liberation Army gets. Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 In order to place a person who has just given birth within the last three days in shackles, the bill says several criteria must be met: There is a substantial flight risk or medical or security circumstance that requires the use of constraints. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2024 Transitioning to a fully remote workforce can be a game-changer, allowing employees to work from anywhere, unshackling businesses from the shackles of physical office upkeep. Naz Beheshti, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Prosecutors have charged O’Connor with a felony count of child endangerment resulting in the death of Grayson. O’Connor appeared in court Tuesday in shackles and dressed in a green jail jumpsuit alongside her defense attorney, Anthony Vibbard with the Missouri Public Defender Office. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2024 Prison staffers had escorted him to the children’s hospital without shackles to treat a hand injury ahead of the escape, ABC News reports. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 26 Jan. 2024 Live updates: Jury reaches verdict in Jennifer Crumbley trial Jennifer Crumbley exits from the courtroom in shackles on Tuesday after her guilty verdict. Eric Levenson, CNN, 6 Feb. 2024 The author and the publisher were well aware that their unshackled judgment could put them in shackles. Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 But the courts denied a police request to hold her longer, throwing out all three charges and chastising police for keeping her in shackles. Judith Sudilovsky, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2024
Verb
While researchers unearthed 40 adults and 5 children buried there, the remains of one man stood out: A long nail could be seen stuck through the heel, and the legs showed signs of infection or inflammation, possibly from being bound and shackled. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Jan. 2024 Some of these elections will be widely considered fair, such as those already held in Taiwan and Finland; others are likely to have a thumb on the scale, with leaders shackling opponents and the media, as in Rwanda. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2024 After capturing the man, officers cuffed his hands behind his back and shackled his legs, the indictment said. Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2024 James, who was shackled, then stepped toward the judge’s bench. Emily Davies, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 During pregnancy, her mother was shackled during medical appointments, while being transferred in vans between facilities, as well as during her delivery, West-Schroder explained to the Journal Sentinel. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2024 Now, cuffed and shackled, Keldy was a criminal defendant, charged with a misdemeanor. Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2024 Renny Antonio Parra Paredes slouched in his chair, wearing a tan prison uniform with his hands cuffed and ankles shackled, as his attorney argued for a bail application. Maria Paronich, Fox News, 24 Jan. 2024 His wrists were cuffed in front of him, his ankles shackled, his head down. Jennifer Gonnerman, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English schakel, from Old English sceacul; akin to Old Norse skǫkull pole of a cart

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of shackle was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near shackle

Cite this Entry

“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shackle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

shackle

1 of 2 noun
shack·​le ˈshak-əl How to pronounce shackle (audio)
1
: a ring or band that prevents free use of the legs or arms
2
: something that prevents free action
usually used in plural
3
: a U-shaped metal device for joining or fastening something

shackle

2 of 2 verb
shackled; shackling ˈshak-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce shackle (audio)
1
a
: to bind with shackles
the guard shackled the prisoner
b
: to make fast with a shackle
2
: to deprive of freedom of action : hinder
shackled by poverty
shackler noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shackle

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