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
Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 15 Aug. 2025
The other man involved in the fight was also seen being placed in handcuffs.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Brianne Tracy, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
While immigration agents have not detained anyone inside a school, a 15-year-old boy was pulled from a car and handcuffed outside Arleta High School in northern Los Angeles on Monday, Carvalho said.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
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Noun
Family's lawyer: 'The police were manipulated so badly here'
Raza was jailed twice since getting pulled out of class in April, and then hauled to the police station in handcuffs.
—Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 15 Aug. 2025
The other man involved in the fight was also seen being placed in handcuffs.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
Kelley was detained and handcuffed by sheriffs in Utah County, Utah, and was admitted to a local hospital, PEOPLE confirmed.
—Brianne Tracy, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
While immigration agents have not detained anyone inside a school, a 15-year-old boy was pulled from a car and handcuffed outside Arleta High School in northern Los Angeles on Monday, Carvalho said.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handcuff. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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