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
Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Loudermill, a father of three from Olathe, was thrust into the public eye when his photograph, decked out in a Chiefs-red sweatsuit, sitting on a curb in handcuffs, began spreading rapidly online.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
The team signed these men years after their peak seasons, including contract language that gave the players much of the power, and Edmonton is now handcuffed when looking to move them.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
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Noun
Thompson, who did not speak publicly in court, was led away in handcuffs after the sentencing.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Loudermill, a father of three from Olathe, was thrust into the public eye when his photograph, decked out in a Chiefs-red sweatsuit, sitting on a curb in handcuffs, began spreading rapidly online.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
Three individuals in Lawrence, Kansas, were stopped, handcuffed and detained by ICE and other federal immigration agents on Tuesday, according to video and photos captured by bystanders and distributed by a local activists group.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
The team signed these men years after their peak seasons, including contract language that gave the players much of the power, and Edmonton is now handcuffed when looking to move them.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 15 Feb. 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 19 Feb. 2026.
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