shackle

1 of 2

noun

shack·​le ˈsha-kəl How to pronounce shackle (audio)
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

2 of 2

verb

shackled; shackling ˈsha-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce shackle (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: 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
shackler noun
Choose the Right Synonym for shackle

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
In this edition…new AI models are coming fast and furious; OpenAI CTO and cofounder Mira Murati departs as the company prepares to slip the shackles of its nonprofit parent; did Google just pay $2.7 billion largely to rehire one guy? Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2024 And some of his most successful shows were lectures illuminated with demonstrations of how mediums slipped free of shackles and read people’s minds. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024
Verb
Humber, shackled and clad in orange-and-white jail garb, said nothing. A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 25 Sep. 2024 In a brief appearance Monday before U.S. Magistrate Ryon McCabe at the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in West Palm Beach, Routh was shackled at his wrists and ankles and wearing a navy blue federal custody uniform. Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shackle 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shackle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English schakel, from Old English sceacul; akin to Old Norse skǫkull pole of a cart

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of shackle was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near shackle

Cite this Entry

“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shackle. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

shackle

1 of 2 noun
shack·​le ˈshak-əl How to pronounce shackle (audio)
1
: a ring or band that prevents free use of the legs or arms
2
: something that prevents free action
usually used in plural
3
: a U-shaped metal device for joining or fastening something

shackle

2 of 2 verb
shackled; shackling ˈshak-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce shackle (audio)
1
a
: to bind with shackles
the guard shackled the prisoner
b
: to make fast with a shackle
2
: to deprive of freedom of action : hinder
shackled by poverty
shackler noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shackle

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