Synonyms of chain

chain 1 of 2

noun

ˈchān 

1

as in sequence

a series of things linked together

the chain of events that led the American colonies to seek independence from Great Britain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sequence
• train
• string
• progression
• concatenation
• catena
• nexus
• catenation
• consecution
• continuum
• belt
• chain reaction
• cycle
• circle
• scale
• spectrum
• gauntlet
• flow
• file
• river
• stream
• succession
• vicious circle
• gamut
• queue
• line
• row
• range

2

as in obstacle

something that makes movement or progress difficult

this community will grow and prosper only after it has thrown off the chains of ignorance and prejudice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obstacle
• hurdle
• obstruction
• barrier
• embarrassment
• interference
• block
• let
• shackles
• burden
• inhibition
• impediment
• deterrent
• bar
• stop
• encumbrance
• constraint
• hindrance
• hitch
• stumbling block
• manacle
• load
• brake
• handicap
• drag
• clog
• crimp
• fetter
• trammel
• cramp
• delay
• balk
• holdback
• blockade
• stone wall
• rub
• arrest
• curb
• catch
• brick wall
• disadvantage
• restraint
• danger
• blockage
• rein
• embargo
• hazard
• stoppage
• snag
• stall
• difficulty
• reef
• bit
• holdup
• hobble
• drawback
• hardship
• check
• peril
• cumber
• adversity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incentive
• catalyst
• stimulus
• impetus
• spur
• advantage
• edge
• break
• assistance
• benefit
• stimulant
• aid
• goad
• help
• boost
• handmaiden

3

as in bracelet

something that physically prevents free movement

chains on the prisoner's ankles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bracelet
• handcuff(s)
• bind
• shackle
• band
• confinement
• bond
• tie
• collar
• irons
• ligature
• fetter
• constraint
• trap
• cuff(s)
• restriction
• holding
• manacle(s)
• restraint
• entanglement
• curb
• enslavement
• enchainment
• hindrance
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• captivity
• net
• fastener
• trammel
• straitjacket
• hold
• immurement
• hold-down
• hobble

chain

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to bind

to confine or restrain with or as if with chains

chaining up the dog in the backyard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bind
• tie
• shackle
• hamper
• handcuff
• lash
• enchain
• pinion
• fetter
• confine
• manacle
• link
• constrain
• attach
• trammel
• enfetter
• gyve
• iron
• secure
• bit
• truss
• fasten
• curb
• limit
• hobble
• hinder
• restrict
• join
• impede
• hog-tie
• tangle
• entangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• release
• loose
• rescue
• free
• liberate
• undo
• unbind
• emancipate
• unshackle
• unfetter
• untie
• unfasten
• untangle
• detach
• disengage

2

as in to connect

to put or bring together so as to form a new and longer whole

the prosecutor meticulously and brilliantly chained all the evidence together in his closing argument

Synonyms & Similar Words

• connect
• string
• link
• couple
• integrate
• interconnect
• compound
• hook
• yoke
• combine
• conjugate
• concatenate
• join
• catenate
• hitch
• interlink
• cord
• wire
• interlock
• weld
• dovetail
• cement
• fuse
• intermesh
• articulate
• coalesce
• unite

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• separate
• disconnect
• split
• part
• uncouple
• unhitch
• divide
• detach
• disunite
• unchain
• disengage
• unlink
• sever
• disjoint
• dissever
• disjoin
• rupture
• cleave
• unyoke
• sunder

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of chain

Noun

Morgan Stanley increased the hotel chain’s price target to $380 from $353 on Friday, implying about 4% upside from Monday’s close. — Assiatou Hann, CNBC, 21 July 2026

The companies offering them tend to be capital-light, like marketers and insurers, rather than capital-intensive, like airlines and hotel chains. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026

Verb

Countless trees were felled and taken to Eugene for processing in mills or floated up the Willamette to Portland, the sawn trunks chained together in massive, bobbing rafts. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Yet things truly take a turn one day after Miguel stumbles upon a boy, Felipe (Yago Andreu), chained beneath the old water tank near the witch’s old, run-down house. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026

Phrases Containing chain

• food chain