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
Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
After Durm opened the van’s back doors, Orlando Mitchell used the chain between his handcuffs to choke the deputy, according to court documents.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 21 Oct. 2025
Wes Burdine, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
In the video, her siblings – 12-year-old Jasmin and 10-year-old Kevin – cried as their parents and brother sat handcuffed in ICE vehicles.
—Maria Santana, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
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Noun
From Wendy Osefo to Karen Huger to Jen Shah to Luann de Lesseps these reality TV stars have had some run-ins with the law that found them in handcuffs.
—Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
After Durm opened the van’s back doors, Orlando Mitchell used the chain between his handcuffs to choke the deputy, according to court documents.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
The fact is that our local government has been deliberately handcuffed from being able to take action on derelict spaces in our neighborhoods.
—Wes Burdine, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
In the video, her siblings – 12-year-old Jasmin and 10-year-old Kevin – cried as their parents and brother sat handcuffed in ICE vehicles.
—Maria Santana, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 2025.
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