shackle

noun

shack·le | \ ˈsha-kəl

Definition of shackle

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : something (such as a manacle or fetter) that confines the legs or arms

2 : something that checks or prevents free action as if by fetters —usually used in plural

3 : a usually U-shaped fastening device secured by a bolt or pin through holes in the end of the two arms

4 : a length of cable or anchor chain of usually 15 fathoms

shackle

verb

shackled; shackling\ ˈsha-k(ə-)liŋ

Definition of shackle (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to bind with shackles : fetter

b : to make fast with or as if with a shackle

2 : to deprive of freedom especially of action by means of restrictions or handicaps : impede

Other Words from shackle Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about shackle

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Choose the Right Synonym for shackle

Verb

hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting. hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence. hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net. rules that trammel the artist's creativity clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering. a court system clogged by frivolous suits fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost. a nation fettered by an antiquated class system shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom. a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice a people manacled by tyranny

Examples of shackle in a Sentence

Noun

placed shackles on the legs of the prisoners the shackles of illiteracy can be just as confining as leg irons

Verb

The guard shackled the prisoner. unwilling to shackle the dogs to the wall of the house

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Men, women, a toddler and a baby are chained with shackles that were replicated from real chains found at the Cape Coast Slave Castle. — Erica Ayisi, The Root, "Lynching Memorial: Ghanaian Artist Hopes Sculpture Captures Shared Pain Between African Americans and the Motherland," 7 May 2018 Bonnet—who is last seen reaching for the keys that will unlock his shackles. — Outlander Fan, Marie Claire, "'Outlander' Season 4 Episode 12 Recap: 5 Biggest Takeaways," 21 Jan. 2019 In a skit where a kid is shackled in a dungeon, he's warned not to mess with his shackles. — Stacey Grant, Seventeen, "14 Outrageous Facts About Nickelodeon Slime," 10 Dec. 2018 No longer an Edge case Edge will break free of its Windows 10 shackles as part of the move. — Brad Chacos, PCWorld, "Microsoft Edge embraces open-source Chromium code, plans move to Windows 7, 8, and Macs," 6 Dec. 2018 One Trump Administration achievement has been liberating U.S. energy producers of all kinds from federal shackles. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Rick Perry’s Obama Imitation," 5 June 2018 The story featured a photograph of a 10-year-old girl in shackles, charged with prostitution. — Laura Wallis, Glamour, "Meet Two Women Leading the Charge Against Sexual Abuse and Sex Trafficking," 12 Nov. 2018 Handcuffs and shackles proved no match for one 19-year-old Utah man, police say. — Josh Magness, kansascity, "He was handcuffed, shackled for attack on girlfriend — but still slipped free, cops say," 31 May 2018 That the shackles of the prison system can't hold this Injustice League down. — refinery29.com, "We Have Much To Fear In M. Night Shyamalan's New Movie," 29 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Her arms and legs were shackled and she was dressed in a blue one-piece uniform worn by inmates who are a suicide threat. — Fox News, "Mom accused of drowning daughter had been cleared of abuse," 3 Aug. 2018 And in the 1980s, advocates sued to stop the state from shackling and hogtying children there. — Carol Marbin Miller, miamiherald, "A painful reunion at school of horror," 11 July 2018 Officers freed two children who were shackled to beds and arrested the parents in a case that drew worldwide attention to abuse and neglect case at the Perris, California, home that looked neatly kept from the outside. — Crimesider Staff, CBS News, "In 911 call after escape, Turpin sibling describes horrific abuse, being "chained up"," 20 June 2018 The two reporters, Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, have now spent more than 100 days behind bars, shackled in a notorious prison emblematic of oppression during Myanmar’s military junta era. — Laignee Barron, Time, "Amal Clooney Will Represent Two Reuters Journalists Jailed in Myanmar," 30 Mar. 2018 He was dressed in orange coveralls and had his arms shackled at this waist with chains and padlocks. — David Owens, courant.com, "Ex-Death Row Inmate Lazale Ashby Resentenced To Life Without Possibility Of Release," 21 June 2018 The bedside lamps were shackled to the walls—a naughty touch. — Audrey Phoon, Condé Nast Traveler, "25 Best Hotels in Singapore," 28 Feb. 2018 In a skit where a kid is shackled in a dungeon, he's warned not to mess with his shackles. — Stacey Grant, Seventeen, "14 Outrageous Facts About Nickelodeon Slime," 10 Dec. 2018 Insomniac is clearly shackled to the overarching Spider-Man universe, which, at least, gives the team wiggle room to paint both good and bad guys in shades of gray. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Spider-Man PS4 review: Does whatever a spider can—and then some," 4 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shackle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.