hand·cuff
ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf 
: a metal fastening that can be locked around a wrist and is usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening
—usually used in plural
handcuffed; handcuffing; handcuffs
2
: to hold in check : make ineffective or powerless
handcuffed by strict regulations
Examples of handcuff in a Sentence
Noun
the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs
Verb
wanted to take the trip, but was handcuffed by her responsibility to watch her ailing father
the fear that the new mandatory, standardized tests will handcuff the state's teachers, who will have to specifically tailor their lesson plans for the test
Recent Examples on the Web
Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 24 May 2026
He was placed in handcuffs and taken away.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2026
Nick Lentz, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The enforcer handcuffed me and shoved me into the same car, again forcing my head between my knees.
—Abraham Jiménez Enoa, The Dial, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
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Noun
Video from the scene also shows police walking out two people who appear to be in handcuffs.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 24 May 2026
He was placed in handcuffs and taken away.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2026
Verb
At one point during the first meeting, Zempel handcuffed the girl, according to the complaint.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The enforcer handcuffed me and shoved me into the same car, again forcing my head between my knees.
—Abraham Jiménez Enoa, The Dial, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handcuff. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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