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
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
If interest rates pivot, the county’s investments could once again become handcuffs.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
The blue Ford quickly comes to a full stop and Martinez is pulled from the vehicle and handcuffed by multiple officers.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
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Noun
Both teens wore white hazmat suits and handcuffs connected to a chain around their waists and appeared nervous at their Manhattan Federal Court arraignment Monday.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
If interest rates pivot, the county’s investments could once again become handcuffs.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
That means there’s no constitutional precedent for handcuffing the commander in chief as congressional Democrats demand.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
The blue Ford quickly comes to a full stop and Martinez is pulled from the vehicle and handcuffed by multiple officers.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 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 11 Mar. 2026.
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