shackle

1 of 4

noun (1)

shack·​le ˈsha-kəl 

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 4

verb (1)

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

shachle

3 of 4

verb (2)

shach·​le

variants or less commonly shackle

ˈshakəl, 

ˈshäk-

-ed/-ing/-s

intransitive verb

Scottish : to walk in a shuffling gate : shamble

transitive verb

1

Scottish : to wear (shoes) out of shape

2

Scottish : to distort especially by improper use

shackel

4 of 4

noun (2)

shack·​el

variants or less commonly shackle

ˈshakəl 

plural -s

: a section of gill net

Synonyms of shackle

Noun (1)

• chain
• bracelet
• handcuff(s)
• bind

Verb (1)

• 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

Noun (1)

placed shackles on the legs of the prisoners

the shackles of illiteracy can be just as confining as leg irons

Verb (1)

The guard shackled the prisoner.

unwilling to shackle the dogs to the wall of the house

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

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

After she was brought to the Whipple Building, where federal immigration activities were headquartered, agents cut off some of her clothing and her wedding ring, put her in shackles and left her in a cell for hours, according to the lawsuit. —Mars King, Twin Cities, 28 May 2026

Verb

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Noun (2)

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

Verb (2)

perhaps imitative

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Verb (1)

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