shackle

1 of 2

noun

shack·​le ˈsha-kəl 

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 

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

ˈsha-k(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• band
• bind
• bond
• bracelet
• chain
• cuff(s)
• fetter
• handcuff(s)
• irons
• ligature
• manacle(s)

Verb

• bind
• chain
• enchain
• enfetter
• fetter
• gyve
• handcuff
• manacle
• pinion
• trammel

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

Crusius, who appeared in court wearing a striped jumpsuit, shackles and a protective vest, will be automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole. —Morgan Lee and Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025

Now, Weight Watchers isn’t exactly facing bankruptcy because people everywhere are suddenly looking inward and agreeing to throw off the shackles of compulsory thinness. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025

Verb

Muzaffar said that he and his brother, Ali, were taken to a local base, where the soldiers shackled them to chairs and beat them with bamboo rods. —Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

Trump is shackling the greatest institutions in American life. —David Brooks, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for shackle

• cackle
• crackle
• hackle
• jackal
• tackle
• vakil
• ramshackle
• tabernacle
• zodiacal

Kids Definition

shackle

1 of 2 noun

shack·​le ˈshak-əl 

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 

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

-(ə-)lər 

noun