1
as in chain
something that physically prevents free movement
placed shackles on the legs of the prisoners
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in embarrassment
shackles plural
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the shackles of illiteracy can be just as confining as leg irons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to bind
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
unwilling to shackle the dogs to the wall of the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hinder
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
shackled by poverty and ignorance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shackle
Conor Friedersdorf,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
In some ways this is like many postcolonial nations in the Global South, although Norway’s claims to being a postcolonial country recently freed from the shackles of foreign domination are difficult to sustain in the face of its treatment of indigenous people like the Sámi.
—
Ola Morris Innset,
The Dial,
2 June 2026
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Written by Evan Cooper, the film finds five convicts trying to escape through the mountains following a violent train robbery, while shackled together by foot.
—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shackle
Noun
His Department of Homeland Security regularly posts photos of people being deported, emphasizing and celebrating their shackles.
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Conor Friedersdorf,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
In some ways this is like many postcolonial nations in the Global South, although Norway’s claims to being a postcolonial country recently freed from the shackles of foreign domination are difficult to sustain in the face of its treatment of indigenous people like the Sámi.
—
Ola Morris Innset,
The Dial,
2 June 2026
Verb
According to the lawsuit, four days after ZOR arrived at the facility, ICE officers shackled him and drove him to the Mexican border.
—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Written by Evan Cooper, the film finds five convicts trying to escape through the mountains following a violent train robbery, while shackled together by foot.
—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shackle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle
Noun
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The chain retailer also has locations at Arden Fair and Westfield Galleria at Roseville.
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The Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace, part of the same chain, did not sustain any damage.
Noun
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In 1952, Sarris’ teenage mother gave him up for adoption, her family hoping to evade the embarrassment of their Jewish daughter becoming pregnant by a Native American Filipino man.
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Two months after that April embarrassment, the Charlotte Hornets took a positive step to rectify their obvious lack of physicality.
Verb
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That had Ament walking on stage at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in a Heat hat despite being bound for the Bucks, with Miami selecting him for Milwaukee and the move to the Bucks still pending until July 6.
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The measure, which was largely symbolic and not actually binding, passed the House of Representatives weeks ago.
Verb
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Despite a 2019 public renunciation, MSV secretly governs 70% of public firms, hindering true economic progress.
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Wilson was also hindered by personal failings.
Noun
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During that time, the suspects took the woman's bracelet off her wrist without her knowing before taking off, according to police.
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Queen Camilla added Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets in agate and carnelian and pinned Queen Victoria’s sapphire-and-diamond wedding brooch near her left shoulder.
Noun
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Despite these obstacles, the Cuban government faces a short window for obtaining results, said Paolo Spadoni, associate professor in the Department of Social Sciences at Augusta University in Georgia.
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Rather than simply advocating for preservation, the organization is working directly with property owners to better understand what obstacles stand in the way of restoring some of Hollywood’s most recognizable landmarks.
Verb
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One group counts $25 million in support from OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman and his wife, Anna, alongside $100 million tied to one of Silicon Valley’s biggest venture capital firms, which holds a large stake in OpenAI.
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That might be a tall order on the field after Lionel Messi’s record-tying hat trick against Algeria led Argentina to victory on Tuesday.
Verb
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The investigation also compliments previous claims that CCC’s regulations impede coastal infrastructure projects, which has drawn criticism from multiple political fronts over the last year.
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Supporters had campaigned for Merlin to be allowed into the Azteca to witness Mexico’s final group game — but the dabbler found his free passage impeded on Wednesday evening by FIFA regulations.
Cite this Entry
“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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