shackle

verb

shackled; shackling ˈsha-k(ə-)liŋ 

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

ˈsha-k(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms of shackle

• bind
• tie
• handcuff

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

The guard shackled the prisoner.

unwilling to shackle the dogs to the wall of the house

Recent Examples on the Web

Joaquin Escoto, 28, entered Stanislaus County Superior Court shackled at the wrists and ankles, wearing an orange-and-white jail uniform and sitting beside his attorney and a Spanish interpreter. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026

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

Once in Israeli custody, detainees describe being beaten, tasered, strip-searched and attacked by dogs while held in shipboard containers, often blindfolded, shackled and denied timely access to lawyers or consular officials. —Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for shackle

• cackle
• crackle
• hackle
• jackal
• tackle
• vakil
• demoniacal
• ramshackle
• tabernacle
• zodiacal

Kids Definition

shackle

1 of 2 noun

shack·​le ˈshak-əl 

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 

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

-(ə-)lər 

noun