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
Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
The children’s punishments, authorities said, extended past handcuffs.
—Mike Stunson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Though the United States decided against deportation, images of the workers being chained and handcuffed during the raid caused widespread alarm in South Korea.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
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Noun
Meanwhile, video posted by the Salvadoran government showed detainees stripped and having their heads shaved before being frog-marched in handcuffs and chains at their feet and waist into the prison.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
The children’s punishments, authorities said, extended past handcuffs.
—Mike Stunson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
New York Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro dismissed the charges of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and murder in the second degree as a crime of terrorism shortly after Mangione appeared in court handcuffed and shackled, wearing tan prison garb.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Though the United States decided against deportation, images of the workers being chained and handcuffed during the raid caused widespread alarm in South Korea.
—Nino Paoli, Fortune, 15 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2025.
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